Of the Orlando mega-resort's 25,337 acres, thousands of acres -- roughly the size of at least 18 Magic Kingdoms -- are still available for development.

California's Disneyland also has at least enough space to add a third theme park.

But listen carefully to the recent signals from Disney executives, and you start to understand that much of that land will likely continue to sit empty far into the future.

On Wednesday the company announced Hawaii as the site of its first hotel and time-share resort without a theme park.

And that's just the beginning. A separate concept called Adventures by Disney that launched two years ago is set to begin escorting vacationers as far away as China and Australia.

Is this a course destined to stagnate Orlando's park attendance and discourage repeat visitors seeking new thrills?

Slower or plateaued growth among international and domestic tourists flocking to town would deal a swift punch to our local economy.

Disney executives say that won't happen.

They hate the word "mature" when it comes to describing the traditional theme-park business. They say there are lots of strategies to increase growth in Orlando and Anaheim without rolling out the bulldozers and construction cranes.

That growth would come by catering more to large groups traveling together -- like family reunions, weddings and anniversary celebrations, they say.

It means more multicultural events that appeal to broader groups. It means keeping the entertainment fresh. And it means more marketing and promotions such as the successful "Year of a Million Dreams" campaign.

In other words, more of what we've already seen. Disney has worked those angles for years.

But guests have come to expect big new attractions. Disney credited Expedition Everest, the fast-paced ride that debuted in 2006, with dramatically boosting attendance at Animal Kingdom.

Earlier this year, I asked Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo whether there were any plans for more new investments here.

"Not beyond . . . of course we tell people we never stop dreaming," he told me. "Of course, it's not always about capital investment. It's about how do we continue to expand what we call the usage occasion for why people come to Walt Disney World."

Rasulo says Disney's research shows that U.S. visitors only come to the parks about every four years.

Now Disney is smartly going after their business during the years in between with everything from the Hawaii project to potential nightlife and retail complexes across the United States.

Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said this summer the company plans capital investments of well below $1 billion for its domestic parks while it shifts focus to the cruise line, time-share business Disney Vacation Club and other ventures.

That's good for Disney's bottom line. What about Central Florida?

It not time to hit the panic button.

Certainly there will always be new young families who want to visit Disney for the first time and those who return for reasons of nostalgia.

And Staggs said second-quarter park attendance showed high single-digit increases and that fourth-quarter bookings "continue to look strong."

Food.

Damn, right. And some of the best artisan meals too -- Vegas hasn't stolen all the good ideas yet. The Disney Blog (unrelated to Disney) gives the California Grill one of the two not-to-miss-luxurious spots at the resort. Located at the top of the Contemporary Hotel (the one that the monorail has a station inside of -- a 1970's precursor to transient oriented development), the restaurant has a somewhat slack dress code and offers sushi, flatbreads, an exclusive California wine menu and specialty cheeses.

Start off with the Triple Cheese, Pecorino Asiago, Provolone with Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Basil Pesto flatbread followed by some Double-Crunch Rainbow Roll (Cobia, Salmon, Tuna, Tempura Crunch, and Tobikko). First course meals can include Wood-Fired Quail with Fresh Black Mission Figs, Truffle, Frisée, Mâche, and Port Wine Sauce, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli or Fresh Maine Lobster (a favorite at recent festivals) with Hearts of Palm, Avocado, Tomato, Crisp Serrano Ham, and Citrus Vinaigrette. For the main course, try the tender Oak-fired Filet of Beef, Crushed Red Potatoes with Nueske's Bacon, Green Beans, Teriyaki Barbecue Sauce or the adventurous Ricotta Gnocchi Gratinée with Roasted Tomatoes, Wilted Arugula, Olive Tapenade, and Aged Balsamic (pictured above).

After years of tasting the goods at this restaurant, the only disappointing aspects are the mediocre margaritas and lack of Corona Beer, two important California staples. However, the California wine list makes up this deficit. Being a huge fan of wines from the Santa Barbara area, Paige 23's Syrah became the favorite of the night -- extremely smooth on the tongue with a light kick on the swallow.

Floating in and out of reality, my mother, Celia, was no longer the independent, tireless, take-charge woman I had grown up with. Last October her medical reports were gloomy, with four different cancers attacking her frail 86-year-old body. According to her oncologist, she was on "borrowed time" and had six months to a year to live, at best.

I dropped my holiday plans, put my life on hold and booked the cruise, knowing this could be our last holiday celebration.

At some point in our lives, role reversal kicks in. With a full-blown case of Alzheimer's, Celia had become my 5-year-old daughter, and I was now the responsible parent.

Why Disney?

Celia begged and pleaded with me to take her on a trip anywhere, just to get her out of the house. With her childlike behavior, I knew the Disney cruise ship Wonder would be a perfect fit for Celia. The three-night cruise was long enough for her to feel like it was a vacation, yet short enough in case we needed to jump ship. A Disney cruise is the best anti-depressant around. The cruises are family-friendly and even adults enjoy being kids again and get swept up in the magic. Activities abound for every age group, from toddlers to teens. There's even a nursery on board to give Mom and Dad some downtime to enjoy the Vista Spa and Salon.

Disney has taken great effort to make travel comfortable for passengers with special needs and dietary restrictions. Whether it's a kosher diet, low-fat, low-carb, diabetic, or vegetarian, nearly any dietary request is available.

The hallways throughout the ship are extra wide to accommodate wheelchairs and the staterooms are modified for easy wheelchair access, while the bathrooms are customized with roll-in showers.

Bon voyage

Meet the "girls": Celia, my 86-year-old mother; cousin Helen, 93 and in a wheelchair; and Jackie, Helen's live-in caregiver. Since Helen hadn't been on a cruise, I invited her to join us. Off we went on the Disney Wonder, sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla. Our plush stateroom with its dramatic dark wood paneling provided enough space for us to co-exist without killing each other. We had a separate living room with a sleeper sofa (a relief since Celia snores and is an early riser), satellite TV, wet bar, oversized balcony, and a spacious bathroom for easy wheelchair access. There were art deco décor influences throughout the ship, taking design cues from nautical classics such as the Normandy, Queen Mary and the Ile de France.

I assumed the role of their personal cruise director, organizing our daily schedule, activities and logistics, and then herding the girls to and from dining rooms and shows. The girls wanted to see and do everything and by the last day I was worn out. It's a full-time job taking care of an Alzheimer's parent.

It's not possible to get bored at mealtime with Disney's rotational dining program, where every night passengers dine in another fine restaurant.

Sampling all of the restaurants was one of the highlights of the cruise, so be prepared to gain at least 5 pounds. Palo's, an upscale Italian restaurant for adults only, and Triton's continental cuisine and seafood, were gourmet treats. Our absolute favorite was Animator's Palate, with its strikingly graphic black and white décor. During dinner, the walls come alive with splashes of vivid colored lights that are projected onto their surfaces.

Every night after dinner the girls rushed to the Walt Disney Theatre to get a front-row seat to another Broadway-caliber musical production, complete with lavish costumes and professional performers. Their favorite show, "The Golden Mickeys," is billed as "the most technically advanced stage show at sea." They also got a kick out of strolling down memory lane in the Cadillac Bar with its retro music and décor.

Excursions and ports of call

Our first stop was Nassau, and hiring a taxi driver was a good decision. It facilitated our outing and wasn't expensive. We had one full day to explore Nassau and see the island highlights. It was a long haul from the ship all the way down to the welcome center. Inch by inch, Celia made her way down the cracked and uneven concrete dock. In spite of her hip replacement and walker, she managed to keep up with the rest of us. Celia was determined, navigated her walker like a pro and never complained. It was a miracle that she didn't fall and break her other hip.

After walking down the long pier and politely turning down at least 10 offers to have our hair braided, we arrived at The Straw Market, an island institution where elder women sit in long narrow rows greeting tourists while embroidering Tinkerbell, Snow White and Mickey onto straw bags. A handful of master woodcarvers were carving large mahogany figures and eagles.

Our next stop was Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, and Conservation Center, home of the world-famous marching flamingos. The funky gardens are a throwback to the 1930s and have survived many hurricanes. A flock of flamingos gave an Oscar-winning performance as they marched and obeyed their "drill sergeant's" whistle and voice commands.

At feeding time, hundreds of lory parrots converged on us. Within seconds, kamikaze parrots landed on our heads, shoulders and arms, expecting a treat. These scarlet, cobalt and chartreuse beauties are trained to gently eat apple slices from visitors' hands, leaving only the peel. Celia ate the apple slices, insisting they were her treats.

The girls were in awe of the Atlantis Resort and Casino. They loved the spectacular 2.7 million gallon aquarium. With more than 50,000 sea creatures, this is home to the world's largest man-made, open-air marine habitat where visitors can see rays, sharks, barracudas, green sea turtles, sawfish and tropical fish up close.

By 9 the next morning, we docked at Castaway Cay, Disney's version of Margaritaville. This private island has everything you'd expect a tropical paradise to have: sparkling turquoise waters, pristine white sand beaches, lush coconut trees, oversized hammocks and a staff to constantly refill your piña coladas.

Helen reserved one of the complimentary sand wheelchairs, enabling her to go on the beach or onto the water. After a hearty lunch at Cookie's BBQ the girls napped beneath the palm trees, giving Jackie and me some downtime to explore the island. We had so many choices. Should we go kayaking, parasailing, biking, deep-sea fishing, on a guided nature walk, or get an open-air cabana massage?

We opted for the exciting Castaway Rays Stingray Adventure. It was thrilling to swim alongside the rays in the clear lagoon and get close enough to feed them. Jackie was in awe when she felt the babies in a pregnant ray's belly.

As we cruised away from Castaway Cay that afternoon, Celia disappeared. I was terrified that she had somehow gotten back off the ship before we sailed. But Karen Philadelphia, one of the ship's many capable and caring crew members, coolly radioed her security staff, who quickly found Celia happily wandering the ship's halls.

Bittersweet memories

At times, I was angry and annoyed and resented baby-sitting for my mother. Her Alzheimer's has taught me that patience is not one of my strongest virtues. Every five minutes after giving Celia her medication, she would ask, "Did I take my medicine yet?" I would reassure her, and she would repeat the question countless times, like a recording.

While our cruise wasn't perfect and there were some stressful moments, the girls said they had a terrific time. Celia's only complaint was, oddly enough, that "there were too many damned kids on board!"

Our adventure was more than a just a four-day cruise; it was a journey filled with discoveries that provided a much-needed reality check of Celia's current condition. Observing her really put things into perspective and made me realize she was incapable of living alone any longer.

Even in Celia's "altered state," however, I couldn't help but admire and respect Celia for her persistence, never complaining, never giving up; she was the ultimate trouper. Her determination, feistiness, sense of humor and strength are the tools that have propelled her through life's hardships and tough times. She just doesn't give up.

Given that Disney already has countless business lines -- film, television, and branded products -- alongside its hospitality properties, it's easy to view the company's $144 million price tag for the 21-acre piece of beachfront property as just another day at the office. But look a little deeper into this transaction, and it's clear that Disney has more on the line than just the rise or fall of this one resort.

From a fiscal standpoint, the failure of this venture would probably register as somewhat of a blip on the screen of Disney's vast empire. But what worries me more are the potential effects in terms of brand dilution.

One of my fellow Fool contributors is certainly all for the company's expansion into non-theme-park-connected properties. He believes that these properties could fit nicely into a potential play to spread the Disney empire through a multiproperty, high-end, destination-club strategy. While it certainly may do that, Disney still needs to overcome several near-term obstacles with regard to its yet-unnamed Hawaiian resort.

The first hurdle is unfamiliarity with the Hawaiian market, especially stacked up against hotel giants such as Marriot (NYSE: MAR) and Starwood (NYSE: HOT). I had to chuckle a bit when I read this line in a Wall Street Journal story: "The company noted, however, that it has tapped the Hawaiian theme for several projects over the years, from the 1937 Mickey Mouse animated short Hawaiian Holiday to the 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch."

If that's all Disney's got, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the company has a lack of local market experience working against it. And lack of experience in new markets has clipped the company before. I hear that just hearing the name "Euro Disney" is enough to make Michael Eisner break out in hives.

Further, Hawaii can be a fickle mistress for the hotel industry -- and for megaresorts in particular. Hilton Hotels (NYSE: HLT) specializes in non-themed hotels and resorts and is familiar with the Hawaiian market, but even it has had some struggles with its Waikoloa Resort. Does Disney really think it can do better than a company that, despite specializing in the market, still faces a few struggles?

Disney's existing hotels have always had the protection of the major draw of a theme park. After all, even when times are tough, parents are going to dig deep into their pockets to give their children the "Disney experience." But without that theme-park insurance policy, its Hawaiian property is less likely to draw visitors in down times.

So is this a genius move, or a totally goofy idea? The company's checkered history with non-core theme-park hospitality enterprises provides little assurance for shareholders. Though the company has been successful with cruise lines, indoor theme park DisneyQuest was shuttered in 2001 after the Chicago-area property drew meager crowds.

That's how my family and I felt following our trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., during March break this year. Efficient fantasy doesn't begin to do our experience justice.

Our two boys, age 10 and 13, were pumped from the beginning, thrilled at the thought of the Disney spectacle and wild rides they were about to experience. My husband and I took on the project with an attitude akin to cynical resignation. But we were no match for Mickey's charms. We arrived in Orlando only to be ushered quickly to our air-conditioned bus, welcomed at the Disney resort by helpful and efficient staff and given keys to our spotless and comfortable suite.

And so, a mere one hour after arriving at our destination, the two of us were walking around with silly grins glued to our faces. Walt Disney World is designed for fun and nothing but fun. Creative, innovative and snazzy. The weather was perfect, the flowers bloomed and the infrastructure hummed like a well-oiled machine.

We began to refer to beauty, cleanliness, efficiency and civilized service as very "Mickey." Conversely, once back in Montreal, we took to describing rude behavior, street litter and incompetent service as very "un-Mickey."

The massive Walt Disney World Resort covers 120-square-kilometres of Florida landscape. With so much to see and do, advance planning goes a long way to help ease confusion and unnecessary exhaustion during your trip.

Here are 10 things to consider when planning a trip to Walt Disney World.

Before you decide to go, consider the ages of your children. Don't be fooled by the adorable ad campaigns featuring delighted toddlers hugging Mickey Mouse. That moment represents a few seconds in what can be a very long and frustrating day visiting a Disney theme park with an overtired preschooler.

A preschooler won't remember the trip for long, but you will. Keeping the tiny tot rested and happy will make for happier memories.

Book your vacation through a travel agent who is familiar with the myriad of possible Disney vacation packages. Our travel agent (CAA's Kathryn Drew) was excellent. She had much to offer in the way of anecdotal advice that she had gleaned over the years from returning families. (See above advice on the age of your children.) We used air points to book our flights and not all air-points plans allow access to all flights at all times, so we booked way ahead to be sure to get seats on the dates we wanted.

Buy a good Walt Disney World guide book. Use it as a resource tool when planning the trip, but also take it with you. A guide book is packed with wonderful tips and includes all the important telephone numbers and websites you need. Bookstores offer a good selection of guides. We used The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2007 (Wiley) by Bob Sehlinger with Len Testa. A 2008 version is now available.

Stay on site. If you stay at one of the Walt Disney World resorts - they come in three price categories, moderate, medium or luxury - you enjoy perks including comfortable, air-conditioned transportation to and from the airport with Disney staff handling your luggage retrieval and delivery, extended-hour access to the theme parks and free shuttle service from park to park.

When booking, take the Disney Dining Plan and the Park Hopper options. They save money and reduce hassle. The Park Hopper option allows people to visit more than one theme park a day. The Disney Dining Plan covers the cost of snacks, light meals and dinners and can save you up to 40 per cent in food costs.

- Keep in mind the large size of the portions served in the United States. I shared my sons' dinners, and we still had food left on the plates.

- Make sure the cashier understands clearly from the outset, before he or she begins punching buttons on the cash register, that you will be paying with your meal plan and make it clear whether you are ordering a snack, a light meal or a dinner. You don't want the wrong item to be deleted from your meal plan.

- We bought refillable mugs the first full day of our visit. Every morning, even before the restaurant opened, we could go to the coffee machines and fill our mugs for free. Yes, there are coffee machines in the rooms, but, hey, we were on vacation.

Book dinner reservations at the same time as you book your flight and accommodations. You can find a complete list of all the dining facilities on the Walt Disney World website (www.waltdisneyworld. com) or in an updated guide book. Making reservations for every evening meal is a good idea. The family can be tired and cranky after a long day of fun in the sun, and standing in line for a table can ruin your day.

- Le Cellier Steakhouse at the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot is considered one of the best places to eat. You must reserve in advance. The Disney restaurants reservation number is 407-939-3463. The top-notch, all-Canadian menu, the pavilion's beautiful Victoria-garden setting and its updated, multimedia presentation make a stop at the Canadian Pavilion a must.

- On our last night, we ate at the California Grill located on the top floor of the upscale Contemporary Resort. Reserve in advance. The panoramic view of Walt Disney World is spectacular, and so is the food. If you book your reservations for later in the evening, you will see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the comfort of your table. Reserve a table by the window.

- When making dinner reservations, make sure to ask what the restaurant's policy is concerning dinner coupons. The California Grill, for example, allows adults to pay for their meals with the meal-plan option, but children's meals are not covered.

It is physically impossible for any one family to see everything at every theme park in the course of a one-week visit. We would make plans for each day during dinner the night before. Our two boys would come up with a list of priorities, deciding which ride they would take in which order. The order would be influenced by the popularity of the ride. The most popular rides would be enjoyed first thing in the morning.

There are four theme parks, Downtown Disney and the water parks to consider. Concentrate on one theme park a day, leaving one day at the end of the vacation to unwind at a water park. It was the perfect decision for our weary eyes, minds and legs.

This is very important. Take full advantage of the fast-pass option. Excessively popular Disney rides have huge lineups. The way to beat those long lineups is to use fast passes, which are available at self-serve machines set up adjacent to each ride. The pass tells you exactly what time you should come back to line up. (Usually around one hour after picking up the pass.) This frees you up to wander and do other things until it's time to take the ride. The fast-pass lines are always shorter than the regular lines and move quickly.

A word to the wise. Disney merchandise is everywhere. At times it feels like you are wandering a huge shopping mall with some rides tucked in here and there for good measure. Every ride exits into a souvenir shop. The temptations to buy, buy, buy are enormous. Lay the ground rules with the children about how many trinkets will be purchased in advance of each day's visit.

Mr. McPherson, 42, runs the Walt Disney’s broadcast television empire. As president of ABC Entertainment, he woos Hollywood divas and indulges advertisers, tweaks prime-time schedules and manages affiliates. Most important, he identifies hit scripts while balancing huge budgets, exhibiting what colleagues and competitors describe as an unusual combination of creative and business acumen.

Still, Mr. McPherson finds himself on perpetual thin ice. Modern Hollywood — with its reduced budgets, fraying business models and corporate overlords — prefers its executives to showcase themselves as cogs toiling for shareholder returns. The brand-conscious Disney, in particular, expects its division chiefs to keep a modest profile, stay on message and play nice with corporate siblings.

Mr. McPherson does few of those things. He exhibits a blunt, temperamental style that at times creates a frosty relationship with his superiors and leaves subordinates ducking for cover, say current and former Disney executives. He fires off nuclear e-mail messages, fumes over downbeat ratings and once yanked a $10 million comedy after a single broadcast because he didn’t like its creative direction.

“He’s confident in his opinions. He doesn’t sugarcoat. His position doesn’t sway in the wind,” said Rich Frank, former president of Walt Disney Studios. “That can leave people raw.”

Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive, will decide in the coming months whether to renew Mr. McPherson’s contract, which expires next spring. How ABC’s schedule fares this fall — anchored by hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and featuring promising newcomers including “Pushing Daisies” — will factor prominently in that verdict. Mr. Iger’s decision will also signal the kind of leadership he seeks for a crucial business unit that has only recently emerged from a long run of problems.

“Steve is a great television programming executive,” Mr. Iger said. “He knows what he likes and he works extremely hard to make ABC’s shows better.”

Keeping the broadcast unit humming is more important than ever for Disney. Its consumer products and theme-park businesses are facing a tougher economy than they did in recent years, and the film studio is grappling with an industrywide slowdown in DVD sales. ABC has its own problems, not the least of which is figuring out how to make money in the age of ad-skipping digital video recorders.

MR. McPHERSON (pronounced Mc-FUR-son) is by all accounts a programming ace. He was responsible in full or in part for developing 5 of the top 15 shows for the 2006-7 television season, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “Desperate Housewives.” Among his other credits are critical favorites like “Scrubs” and the drama “Monk,” both of which he helped develop in his previous role as head of Disney’s internal television studio.

Writers credit him with making specific creative tweaks that helped some of these shows become hits. Marc Cherry, the creator of “Desperate Housewives,” said Mr. McPherson persuaded him to rethink the casting of the show’s narrator. “He suggested — not ordered, suggested — that I consider a voice with more theatrics in it,” Mr. Cherry said. “I will be forever grateful for that observation.”

When Mr. McPherson took over ABC three years ago, he made some important operational changes, too. He stopped marketing new shows equally, a vestige of the pre-cable era intended to keep producers happy. And he was the first Big Four network executive to aggressively court the country’s growing Hispanic audience (including dubbing shows into Spanish and pushing his staff to cast more Hispanic actors).

“I didn’t do that because I’m a nice guy,” he said recently over breakfast near ABC’s headquarters in Burbank, Calif. “I did it because it’s smart business.”

He also does not dispute that he has left a long trail of hurt feelings and bruised egos in his wake, but he says disagreements are to be expected in any creative business. He also says that he is misunderstood. “I don’t see myself as a bully,” he says. “I know I’m demanding. My biggest gift and curse is that I want to win.”

Mr. McPherson’s unit has emerged as an important engine behind Disney’s recent earnings momentum. The division reported $733 million in operating income for the first nine months of its 2007 fiscal year, compared with $320 million for the first nine months of 2004. Last spring, ABC secured fat increases in advertising prices, prompting some analysts to upgrade Disney’s stock.

Because more of Mr. McPherson’s programming bets are paying off, ABC did not need to make as many pilots in 2007, leading to about $50 million in cost savings, analysts estimate.

Though impressive, these critical and financial successes don’t guarantee a continued climb for Mr. McPherson at Disney. In an industry built as much on relationships and image as anything else, personal style still matters.

Mr. McPherson, who professes a distaste for Hollywood’s schmoozy brand of politics and massaging of the press, is well known in the television business for baring his teeth. When Fox extended an episode of “American Idol” by 12 minutes in March in an attempt to torpedo ABC’s premiere of “Dancing With the Stars,” he fired off an angry e-mail message to Fox’s top scheduling executive.

When bidding on new projects, Mr. McPherson sometimes threatens to cease doing business with the people involved if things do not go his way, say agents who have negotiated with him.

His personality was on display in May at the industry’s high-stakes “upfront” presentations, where advertisers place some $9 billion worth of ads for the coming television season. While his counterparts wore dark suits and read scripted remarks off teleprompters, Mr. McPherson strutted the stage with no tie and improvised. Part of his opening line was “I’m a little upset.”

What followed was a joke about his presentation at the same event a year earlier, when he danced a suggestive cha-cha-cha on stage at Lincoln Center to mark the success of “Dancing With the Stars.” Mr. McPherson cracked that he was upset because NBC’s president did not up the ante with a splashy performance of his own.

And that was Mr. McPherson being diplomatic. On other occasions, his comments have made his superiors wince. In July, he called an NBC executive “either clueless or stupid” at a press event after the executive sidestepped a question about his involvement in a management shake-up at the network. At a television critics convention, he told a group of reporters that he hoped their absent colleague had been in a car crash, according to two people who were present.

Mr. McPherson says he does not recall that situation but says he was probably just blowing off steam. “This is a business where people are constantly throwing bricks at your head,” he says. “You would never walk up to a bank officer and say, ‘Gee, I really hated that loan.’ But people think nothing of ripping apart something I have put my heart and soul into.”

HIS public comments add to an already strained relationship with his boss, Anne Sweeney, co-chairwoman of the Media Networks Group at Disney. The two are an odd couple in many ways, but their differences are particularly pronounced when it comes to their public personas. To put it in Disney theme-park terms: If she is a perfectly scripted animatronic figurine from It’s a Small World, he is a Matterhorn bobsled veering off its track.

Credit for ABC’s turnaround can be a sensitive subject. Ms. Sweeney usually serves as the public face of Disney’s television operation, which makes Mr. McPherson worry that his accomplishments go unseen. “This is a one-person job,” he said, referring to his ability to run ABC without heavy supervision.

The pair’s working relationship may not have hindered the division’s growth — at least not so far — but Mr. Iger has made it clear in comments and actions since taking over the company that he does not view warring executives as a healthy dynamic.

Mr. McPherson said, “People love to gossip about office politics, but I think our success together speaks for itself.”

Ms. Sweeney said, “Steve’s passion is one of the many things that makes him good at his job.”

In recent months, he has worked to dispel tension between himself and other executives, particularly his successor at ABC Studios, Mark Pedowitz. At a company team-building retreat in July, he matched up with Mr. Pedowitz on stage to kick off a night of corporate karaoke. Their song was “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”

In April, Mr. McPherson doled out dollops of thanks to his staff — literally. To recognize their work on the network’s spring pilots, he flew in 12 tubs of ice cream from a New Jersey parlor and pushed a cart up and down the aisles of ABC’s corporate headquarters, scooper in hand.

Unlike many of his peers, Mr. McPherson did not grow up obsessing over television. For a large portion of his childhood, he lived in Europe, where his father was headmaster at the American School of Paris. His television diet consisted of reruns of “Love Boat” and “M*A*S*H.”

After graduating from Cornell with a political science degree, he went to work on Wall Street as a foreign exchange broker. He handled Australia, which meant going to work in the middle of the night.

Fed up with Wall Street, he decided to try his hand in the entertainment business in 1990. He set off for Hollywood, where a fraternity buddy, Kevin Reilly, was working in television. With Mr. Reilly’s help, he was hired as a production assistant for a producer of “The Golden Girls.” His duties, for which he was paid $180 a week, included baby-sitting and chauffeuring.

He eventually got a programming job at Fox, and moved to Disney’s TV studio in the mid-’90s, climbing the ladder to become chief of the division.

ABC was largely written off by competitors when Mr. McPherson arrived in April 2004. The network, losing the ratings race, had limped along for years. Its handling of the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” had become the textbook example of how to kill a franchise through over scheduling. Some affiliates were in open revolt. Ad sales lagged behind those of some rivals by more than 20 percent.

Guided by Mr. McPherson, ABC reversed course. The network is now home to a parade of hits, including “Dancing With the Stars,” the family drama “Brothers & Sisters” and the fish-out-of-water comedy “Ugly Betty.” This year, ABC received 70 Emmy Award nominations, the most of any broadcast network. And the network may have another successful series in “Private Practice,” which had its debut two weeks ago and is a spinoff of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Lucky timing helped. Mr. McPherson’s predecessors started “Desperate Housewives” and the castaways drama “Lost,” although Mr. McPherson nurtured them. He also got a big boost from Mr. Iger, who ripped up the network’s cumbersome decision-making process, giving Mr. McPherson more power to make programming choices. Now, ABC has been better positioned to beat rivals to hot projects.

While Mr. McPherson’s style may ruffle corporate feathers, it has made him beloved to many actors and producers. In an industry known for its knife-in-the-back approach to business, Mr. McPherson’s knife-in-the-front manner stands out and is appreciated, and has been the reason ABC has nabbed some ratings-grabbing stars.

The Oscar winner Sally Field, the star of the drama “Brothers & Sisters,” says she initially had no interest in the show after an earlier, “horrible” experience at ABC. Ms. Field, then starring in a series called “The Court,” said she got a call one day from an ABC executive professing love for the series. She says she learned a few days later — by watching an episode of “Entertainment Tonight” — that the network was canceling her series.

Ms. Field says Mr. McPherson changed her mind about returning to ABC. “He sent me the loveliest notes about how the network has changed and about his support for me and the show,” she says. “It felt like if ABC ended up canceling us overnight, at least someone would call me this time.” Ms. Field, who won an Emmy Award last month for the role, keeps the e-mail messages on her bulletin board.

Mr. McPherson has won respect from writers by developing a different kind of reputation. They see him as a type of Mr. Fix-It who has a unique ability to pinpoint subtle script problems.

Damon Lindelof, executive producer of “Lost,” said that he originally planned to kill off the show’s hero, Jack, in the first episode but that Mr. McPherson convinced him that it was a bad idea. “He made us realize that if we killed Jack, the audience would never trust us again,” Mr. Lindelof said.

With “Grey’s Anatomy,” Mr. McPherson made the unusual decision to halt production after just a few episodes because he didn’t like the tone of the show. He said some central characters were emerging as too unlikable. Such calls are rare because of the tight production schedule for television shows, and any interruptions can cost millions of dollars.

“I don’t think the heads of the other networks would have done that,” said Shonda Rhimes, the “Grey’s Anatomy” creator. “It took guts.”

ALTHOUGH the new television season is only two weeks old, ABC is off to a robust start. It currently ranks No. 1 among adults age 18 to 49, the demographic group that most advertisers pay a premium to reach, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Of particular note is “Cavemen,” a comedy based on a popular series of Geico insurance commercials; it had its premiere on Tuesday. The comedy lured a strong 4.5 million young-adult viewers and was particularly popular with young men — a group that ABC, heavy on soapy dramas, has struggled to attract.

If the series is successful, it could rewrite the relationship between programmers and advertisers. Marketers have long depended on so-called product placement, where items are written into the storyline. But as commercial-skipping DVRs become ubiquitous, some advertisers are pressing networks to create programming that subtly reminds viewers of a brand name.

The network race is a brutal one, but Mr. McPherson still counts Mr. Reilly as one of his closest friends — despite the fact that they are professional rivals. Mr. Reilly runs programming at Fox, a job he also held at NBC.

Joanne Webb, marketing director of The Disney Store, says: "Lakeside is doing very well and is performing better than elsewhere. And the initial research has shown it to have absolutely changed the perceptions of the Disney Store with 85 per cent of customers saying it has been improved and we're thrilled at that."

Although she says the quantitative results that will show how it has affected profitability have yet to be fully analysed Webb says it "looks good and we will roll out other variations within Europe".

The issue - especially outside the UK - is with the size of the smaller stores only being able to take some components of the new concept. "It's not possible to put everything into the smaller stores," she admits.

What is likely to be included is the Centre piece of the new concept - the 'Heart of Disney' - that consists of a central column that has a wraparound 360 degree screen at the top which shows footage of Disney films.

The openness of the Lakeside store will also likely be rolled out as Webb says it is a much better environment for children to run around while still being in full view of their parents. And the new merchandising has also proved to be very successful whereby it is done by "franchise" with say all the Winnie the Pooh related items placed together rather than through themes such as Halloween.

In a talent search that started three months ago, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) selected the young musical talents to sing the original theme song in Cantonese, Putonghua, Korean and Tagalog (Philippines).

Singing in their own languages, the children's voices will be featured in an expanded Asian scene, connecting more dots in the unity of people of different origins. With the four new languages added, this upcoming attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland will play 10 translated versions of the unforgettable theme song, "It's A Small World (After All)". The song is enjoyed by millions of guests continuously around the world during any 24-hour period, uniting people of different race and spreading the message of embracing cultural diversity.

"With the opening of 'it's a small world' fast approaching in 2008, we have been looking for talented young voices to bring our classic song to life in several new languages from throughout the region, with the same child-like vocals found in the original soundtrack," said David Fisher, Show Writer, WDI.

"The all-new soundtracks are unique to Hong Kong Disneyland and it will be our first time using stereo audio effects inside the attraction. The new attraction will inherit the original's long-lived message of peace and harmony through the international language of music."

Gathered at the Drama Theater of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on Tuesday, children representing Beijing, Hong Kong, Korea and the Philippines performed the signature theme song in a media event, "It's A Small World (After All)" in their own language, and under the tutorage of famous music producer Chiu Tsang-hei. As the Choral Director of the production, Chiu has been involved from the early stages of talent casting to ensure the quality voices found for the attraction.

The WDI team has also decided to use the same Cantonese lyrics translated more than 30 years ago by the Hong Kong music legend James Wong. To give a modern twist to the new edition, Lin Xi, one of the most talented lyricists in the current local pop scene, was invited to specially work on the Putonghua version. Produced by a cross-over team of talents from different countries, age groups and generations, the piece itself is a testament to the fact that the world can be united through the international language of music.

"it's a small world" was originally created by Walt Disney as an exhibit at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair to benefit UNICEF. The catchy and mesmerizing theme song composed by brothers Richard and Robert Sherman is repeatedly featured throughout the attraction. The signature song plays continuously, on average, 1,200 times a day during a 10-hour operating day at each Disney Park. Across the globe, it is estimated that the song and melody are therefore played over 4,800 times at four Disney theme parks. Numerous Internet articles have cited the title tune as one of the most recognizable tunes of all time.

Bloomberg - Walt Disney Co. recalled about 35,000 Baby Einstein toy blocks made in China because they are contaminated with lead paint.

Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks contain blue paint with excessive lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today in a statement.

The action by Disney follows Mattel Inc.'s recall of about 21 million Chinese-made toys, including Barbie dolls, that contain too much lead. Disney said last month it was testing 65,000 toys featuring its characters. Those tests didn't include Baby Einstein products, said Nidia Tatalovich, a Disney consumer products spokeswoman.

"Moving forward all Baby Einstein products will be part of our voluntary safety compliance process," Tatalovich said in an interview. "We are in complete cooperation" with the recall.

The soft-textured blocks were manufactured by Alpharetta, Georgia-based Kids II Inc. Tamara Jacobs, an outside spokeswoman for Kids II, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

About 80 percent of Disney toys are made in China. Tatalovich said she didn't know whether the blocks, sold for $10 to $13 at U.S. retailers from June to September, would be discontinued.

Retailers rejoice! Your lobbying arm in Tallahassee managed to get language included in the Senate’s budget Wednesday that resolves a problem over whether or not coupons and other promotional gimmicks can have expiration dates.

As reported Sunday, the problem stems from a new state law that prohibits expiration dates and late fees on gift certificates. The law contained an exception quietly sought by Walt Disney World that exempts some of its gift cards from the restrictions.

But Disney's exemption set off alarms among other major retailers and manufacturers afraid that it may have inadvertently expanded the law to include coupons and created a restriction preventing companies from issuing coupons with expiration dates of less than a year.

On Wednesday, Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, added language to a budget bill that makes sure promotional offers from stores like Macy’s could still expire.

“We’re thrilled to launch our partnership with Disney’s Wide World of Sports,” said Heelys, Inc. Vice President of Marketing Jim Peliotes. “Disney is known for great family adventures and Heelys has long encouraged families to exercise together and lead healthy lives, so this partnership is a natural fit, not to mention a whole lot of fun.”

As a bonus the Heelys National Skate Team will be performing demonstrations through 2008 with special featured events at the endurance series kids’ race. The National Team will be performing tricks and stunts using both street and skate park components.

“The best part of my job is sharing my passion for this sport with all ages, particularly kids,” said Team Heelys National Captain David Chau. “We think people will be impressed with our demonstrations and be wowed with the variety of tricks – we’ll definitely turn some heads.”

About Heelys, Inc.

(NASDAQ: HLYS) Heelys, Inc. designs, markets and distributes innovative, action sports-inspired products under the HEELYS brand targeted to the youth market. The Company’s primary product, HEELYS-wheeled footwear, is the patented dual-purpose footwear that incorporates a stealth, removable wheel in the heel. HEELYS-wheeled footwear allows the user to seamlessly transition from walking or running to skating by shifting weight to the heel. Users can transform HEELYS-wheeled footwear into street footwear by removing the wheel. HEELYS-wheeled footwear provides users with a unique combination of fun and style that differentiates it from other footwear and wheeled sports products.

About Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex

Yeah, my pre-teen product tester/correspondent hasn’t been on the site in weeks that I’ve seen.  Now Toronto-based Webkinz?  That still has her attention and she is planning on which one to buy next with her allowance.

Hmm, Club Penguin … no continual draw for new interactions.  Webkinz, always want one more to add to the collection.

"Listen, Susan, I know for a lot of women the word `menopause'" has negative connotations. You hear `aging,' `brittle bones,' `loss of sexual desire,'" the gynecologist tells her.

"OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines?" Susan fires back.

Viewers called the network to complain but the number of callers wasn't available, an ABC spokesman said Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, more than 30,000 names were attached to an online petition seeking a network apology.

"A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field," the petition read in part.

ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Co., responded with a statement Wednesday. ABC said it was considering editing the episode.

"The producers of `Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines," the statement said.

"As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs," it concluded.

The TV episode even became an international incident, with reports on it topping Philippine news shows and drawing newspaper headlines as officials there registered their displeasure. Filipinos could judge the scene for themselves when it was posted on YouTube.

In Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he was writing the producers of the show to seek an apology and note the country's "vehement protest." Senior cabinet member Eduardo Ermita told reporters that an apology should be sought "on behalf of our Filipino professionals."

Kevin Nadal, 29, a Filipino-American college lecturer who lives in New York, posted the online petition calling ABC to task for the scene.

"I had to rewind it over and over again to make sure I heard it right," Nadal said in an interview Wednesday. He watched the episode online after hearing about it from a friend.

"I was immediately offended and, really, just hurt. These days, people are supposed to be more sensitive or more aware of what's considered appropriate," he said, adding that he was hearing from people worldwide who were distressed by the scene. He appreciated ABC's apology, he said, but said he also wanted to see the dialogue removed from future airings and DVDs.

Nadal also suggested that the show's producers and ABC executives could make a more substantial gesture than an apology, through scholarships or donations for Filipino and Filipino-Americans and community groups.

The report says that ESPN agreed to mention all networks broadcasting the games during their broadcasts. Fox, TBS and TNT have the television broadcast rights to the MLB playoffs, with ESPN retaining the radio rights.

According to Disney, the Silverback pact renews efforts to ramp up reality TV production at Buena Vista for all of Disney's various outlets, including ABC, cable, online and syndication.

Deal was announced Monday by Brian Frons, president of daytime at Disney-ABC Television Group.

Headed by CEO Anna Carrfors Brakenhielm, Silverback (originally known as Talpa Scandinavia), has launched several international formats and also reps online video service Joost in Scandinavia.

"(Brakenhielm) is brilliant at producing European formats that resonate with American audiences," Frons said. "I was lucky enough to have worked with her when she brought 'Survivor' and many other successful formats to the world."

Before Disney, Frons was programming SVP at Euro broadcaster SBS at the same time Brakenhielm headed up Strix Television, where she helped produce the first edition of "Survivor."

"Knowing Brian from the birth of reality television, and having the honor of working closely with him on several projects, I'm confident we're in the best of hands," Brakenhielm said. "Being European in the most important TV market in the world demands having the best partner in the field to translate our creative ideas to U.S. taste and flavor."

In fact, ABC claimed five of the top six slots last week, according to Nielsen Media Research, while CBS (NYSE: CBS) had the most-watched show with the season premiere of CSI.

This is a tremendous turnaround for the network. It used to dominate the fall ratings book. Between Monday Night Football and as many as four nights of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, two franchises were enough to give Disney a healthy start to the primetime season. However, weakness elsewhere in the network's programming was exposed when fans got burned out on the overexposed Millionaire quiz show. Then Disney decided to move its Monday gridiron contests over to ESPN.

But even more impressive than ABC's strong start is the shocker that NBC was the top draw for audiences in the coveted 18- to 49-year-old demographic group. NBC, which is majority-owned by General Electric (NYSE: GE), can thank Heroes and Sunday Night Football for that, as well as a strong showing by the Bionic Woman debut.  

Strong starts don't imply strong finishes, though. News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) Fox may seem like a non-factor at the moment. House was its only show to crack the Top 20 last week. Fox will get a considerable push higher when 24 and the seventh season of CKX's (Nasdaq: CKXE) American Idol return come January.

And don't think that watching the ratings is strictly a couch-potato sport. Advertisers flock to popular shows like birds to a power line, so healthy ratings and strong ad revenue go hand in hand.

This season also has some compelling implications as digital distribution through Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN), and the networks' own namesake sites plays a bigger part of primetime consumption.

"The podcasts immerse guests in the Disney Cruise Line experience, bringing to life the way we cater to the specific needs of kids, adults, and the entire family," said Joe Rand, Director of Marketing for Disney Cruise Line. "Each episode is three to five minutes long, making it easy for on-the-go parents to learn more about specific areas of the Disney cruise vacation experience."

Emily Kaufman narrates the podcasts with expert advice for not only a Disney Cruise, but also for family vacations in general. Her expertise in family travel makes her a great fit for the official Disney Cruise Line podcast.

"I'm extremely pleased to partner with Disney Cruise Line on this podcast series and hope parents considering a cruise vacation find them to be a valuable resource," explained Kaufman. "As the mother of two, I truly believe that Disney Cruise Line is a great getaway for families. I have taken both my teenagers and my toddler nieces on a Disney Cruise, and have seen first hand that they offer something for every age."

A spokeswoman for the park, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co. and the Hong Kong government, said it is still discussing financing options with the government.

Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper reported Wednesday the local government, instead of providing fresh cash, is inclined to give the park more land, or sell down its stake in Hong Kong Disneyland for cash to reinvest in the park. All land in Hong Kong is technically owned by the government and leased to commercial developers on long-term contracts.

The government believes the Hong Kong public will not support fresh spending on the park because of its unsatisfactory results, the paper said.

Hong Kong's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau had no immediate comment on the report.

Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Glendy Chu said Disney and the government are "engaged in discussions regarding financing options aimed at advancing the long-term financial and development of Hong Kong Disneyland."

She declined further comment.

Hong Kong Disneyland has been under scrutiny because it is a major government investment. The Hong Kong government owns a 57 percent stake in the park, shouldering most of the US$3.5 billion (euro2.5 billion) construction cost.

The park drew 5.2 million guests in its first year -- 400,000 short of its target of 5.6 million. Park officials have been secretive about second-year numbers, but local media reports estimated up to 4.8 million visited the park its second year.

Fans are so desperate for seats to her 54-date tour, kicking off this month and stopping in Toronto Dec. 15, venues have sold out in as little as four minutes. Scalpers are getting four to five times the face value – creating a torrent of complaints from frustrated parents.

About 12,000 seats for the Memphis show were gone in eight minutes. One ticket for the show in Charlotte, N.C., sold for $2,565.

Last night, the Ticketmaster website showed no seats available for the Air Canada Centre show.

Miley, daughter of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, plays high-school student Miley Stewart, who lives a secret double life as pop star Hannah Montana. Her show reaches five million viewers a week.

The sold-out "Best of Both Worlds Tour," which begins Oct. 18, follows the release of her double album, Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus, which has sold more than one million copies. Her first CD sold more than two million copies.

The mechanic is tailored to engage families, with trails and live reads pre-promoting the Breakfast Show promotion and giving details about the film's release date. A branded splash page at the award-winning virginradio.co.uk will ask young chefs to log on and register to tell Christian what kind of dishes they like cooking. The aspiring chef with the best recipe will win a family trip to Disneyland Paris.

Lee Jury, Executive Marketing Director, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK said "Ratatouille is very exciting for us. Partnering with Christian O'Connell's Breakfast Show gives us an opportunity to raise national awareness of the film's release and communicate the film's comedic story strengths in a hugely entertaining way . We're really looking forward to Christian bringing the film and Remy's unique culinary skills to life on-air."

The series' season premiere is part of Playhouse Disney's "Big Halloween Party" weekend, featuring Halloween-themed episodes "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "My Friends Tigger & Pooh," "Little Einsteins," "Higglytown Heroes" and more throughout the programming block (6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28.

The premiere episode of season two finds the tools helping to concoct a new smoothie flavor while repairing the counter at Oscar's House of Smoothies. Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight" guest stars as the voice of Oscar. In the episode's second story, when Mayor Rosa hears ghost-like noises coming from the clock tower, Manny and the tools investigate whether there really is a "fantasma" (Spanish for "ghost") haunting the tower.

In addition to imparting life lessons about teamwork, communication and setting goals, the second season of "Handy Manny" will further emphasize the series' language curriculum, employing demonstrated techniques to help viewers comprehend and retain Spanish words and phrases. Each episode story will highlight a specific Spanish word, repeating it numerous times within the context of the story, and will also continue to include a sprinkling of other Spanish words throughout every episode.

Launched on September 16, 2006 to Playhouse Disney's highest premiere ratings ever, "Handy Manny," which currently airs weekdays at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT and weekends at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT, currently ranks among the top 10 regularly scheduled series on broadcast and basic cable with kids 2-5 during Summer 2007 (5/28/2007-8/26/2007).

The Jungle Book 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD is overflowing with not only memorable characters like the wise panther Bagheera, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, and the menacing tiger Shere Khan, but amazing special features that both new adventurers and seasoned explorers are sure to enjoy.

The all-new bonus features include a new member of The Jungle Book family, the long lost character created for the original film and discovered for the first time - Rocky, a near-sighted and short tempered, but hilarious rhinoceros. "The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book" featurette takes a look at Walt Disney's contributions to his animated swan song and also examines how director Woolie Reitherman filled the legend's shoes when putting the final touches on the production. "Disney's Kipling" examines Walt's interpretation of the Rudyard Kipling's "Mowgli  Stories," and a film commentary from original animators Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and director Woolie Reitherman is presented alongside commentary from current top animated filmmakers including Brad Bird ("The Incredibles"), Glen Keane (Disney's "The Little Mermaid), and Andreas Deja (Disney's "Beauty and The Beast," and "The Lion King").

In "Mowgli's Return to the Jungle", Bruce Reitherman, the voice of Mowgli and the son of Woolie, shares his memories of making the film and how the experiences influenced his current job as a wildlife filmmaker. The swinging jungle fun continues with an all-new suite of games: "Baloo's Virtual Swingin' Jungle Cruise," and much, much more!

The Jungle Book: Platinum Edition DVD is available only for a limited time, with a suggested retail price of $29.99 in the U.S. ($36.99 in Canada) before making the safari back into the vault.

Embark on a thrilling, adventure-filled journey with the boy, Mowgli as he makes his way to the man-village with Bagheera, the wise panther. Along the way he meets jazzy King Louie, the hypnotic snake Kaa and the lovable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli "The Bare Necessities" of life and the true meaning of friendship.

The realism of Turok and his team's terrifying circumstance is conveyed through the distinguished voice talent. Gregory Norman Cruz provides the voice of Joseph Turok and the other members of Whiskey Company are: Timothy Olyphant (as Cowboy), Ron Perlman (Slade), Donnie Wahlberg (Shepard), William Fichtner (Logan), Mark Rolston (Cole), Chris Judge (Jericho), Lombardo Boyar (Gonzales), Gideon Emery (Reese), Josh Gomez (Parker), Jon Curry (Foster), Jason Harris (Carter) and Steve Van Wormer (Henderson).

Powers Boothe is the voice of the villain, Roland Kane, an escaped war criminal and Turok's former mentor. Sean Donnellan voices Grimes, Kane's mysterious, elusive henchman and part of Mendel-Gruman.

"The actors who lent their voices to Turok are a testament to both the magnitude of the project and the interest of top-notch talent," said Josh Holmes, vice president and general manager of Propaganda Games, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based developer. "The characters in the story are paramount to the experience and we have assembled an outstanding cast to assure high quality performances across the board."

Turok is rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

For more information about Turok, log on to www.turok.com.

About Touchstone

Orlando Sentinel - Epcot turns 25 today, still blessed and cursed as the bricks-and-mortar legacy of Walt Disney's last, most ambitious and most quixotic dream.

Disney did not envision Epcot as a theme park; he saw it as a community that would invite the world in and mix American ingenuity with free enterprise.

"The most exciting, by far the most important part of our Florida project, in fact the heart of everything we'll be doing in Disney World, will be our experimental, prototype city of tomorrow," he declared in a film made to reveal his dreams, just weeks before his Dec. 15, 1966, death. "We call it EPCOT."

As Epcot marks its 25th anniversary, many fans and critics still measure it against what it never became, Walt Disney's "city of tomorrow."

Still, on Oct. 1, 1982, Epcot opened as an instant leader in the theme park business, and it remains so.

Attendance annually tops 10 million, making Epcot the world's third most visited theme park, behind only its older siblings, Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. Its culinary and cultural fare in 11 country pavilions and nine industrial pavilions remain unique offerings. Shows such as the IllumiNations and the International Food & Wine Festival set industry standards.

"I always think of Epcot as the place where Walt's dreams truly came true," said Jim MacPhee, Walt Disney World's vice president for Epcot.

Though few at Disney would admit it publicly, Walt Disney's most utopian Epcot dreams — for a domed city of 20,000, an industrial park and airport — were already looking impractical and maybe un-doable by 1974, when Disney officials announced planning would begin.

"The original concept died in 1967, a year after Walt's death. It was never revived," said Frank Langley, a Walt Disney World publicist in the early 1970s who is now writing a book on Epcot.

A different vision

Walt Disney Imagineering legend Marty Sklar led efforts to translate the founder's idealism into something the company knew: entertainment. Walt Disney's values of enterprise, industry and world culture were applied not to a city, but to another of Walt's loves, world fairs.

"Epcot is really a big extension of his ideas of ingenuity and discovery and opportunity to meet people from all over the world," said Sklar, now WDI executive vice president and ambassador.

The theme became discovery, not fantasy. Mickey Mouse, princesses and thrill rides were for other parks. "We didn't want to build another Disneyland," Sklar said.

Instead, this was to be where a young boy could spend hours watching, talking with, and learning from foreign artisans; a place where visitors could explore Moroccan food, French wine, Japanese music, English gardens, acrobatic shows or technology demonstrations.

"It achieved what we set out to achieve," said Steve Baker, who was development director at Epcot from 1978-88 and who now heads the Baker Leisure Group, an Orlando-based consulting company.

But over time, nations' and corporations' marketing strategies evolved. It became tougher to find sponsors that could both draw new crowds and put up $50 million to build new pavilions, Baker said. Epcot opened with nine World Showcase pavilions and space for nine more. The 10th, Morocco, opened in 1984. Only one, Norway, has joined since.

Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said Disney still gets plenty of interest from many corporations and countries wanting to add to Epcot, but, "The addition of a pavilion has to be made at the right time, with the right idea."

The Future of Epcot

Most changes in recent years have been replacements or revisions of attractions, many with tie-ins to Disney movies and TV shows. Mickey Mouse now greets children at Future World, while princess characters Belle and Jasmine hang out at their native countries' pavilions. Some of the more passive, educational showcases are giving way to thrill rides and fantasy-oriented shows.

"In the beginning there was a lot more historical review of how we got to where we are. ... I think we're now presenting that 'discovery' is an experiential thing," said Eric Jacobson, Walt Disney Imagineering's senior vice president for creative development.

Baker and others suspect the pure "worlds fair" concept is losing appeal for 21st century sponsors and crowds.

Globalized commerce and entertainment, cable TV, the Internet, easier world travel and immigration have made the world much smaller and innovation more accessible, said consultant Dennis Speigel of International Theme Park Services in Cincinnati. That's why no other company ever tried to copy Epcot's themes.

To announce the extension through 2008 of the successful "Year of a Million Dreams," Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida teamed to create the first-ever Disney Dreams Catalog showcasing fabulous dreams that will be awarded in the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway.

Guests may browse the catalog online at this Link

This first-ever Disney Dreams Catalog is a sky's-the-limit showcase brimming with amazing dreams that only Disney can make come true, such as:

A private tropical island paradise for the day... A VIP overnight stay inside Disneyland Park... A royal New Year's Eve, spending the night inside Cinderella Castle Suite... A star-studded trip to the "High School Musical 3" film premiere... A globetrotting trip to be the parade Grand Marshal in Disney theme parks on three continents.

And that's just for starters.

But the one thing guests won't see when browsing the online catalog? Pricetags. That's because the Disney Dreams Catalog is priceless -- literally.

"These dreams can't be bought anywhere, or by anyone," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "The Disney Dreams Catalog is an unprecedented collection of over-the-top experiences that only Disney can bring to life."

The dreams detailed in the catalog, and hundreds of thousands more dreams, will be awarded through a random process to eligible guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts throughout 2008, as well as eligible mail-in participants. The Disney Dreams Catalog features some of the biggest dreams Disney has ever imagined -- all of which will be awarded in 2008 -- including:

• Reign at Disney's Private Island for the Day: One winner will be awarded Disney's private Bahamian paradise for the day. Castaway Cay, the Disney Cruise Line private island, will allow the winner and up to three guests to lounge in the lap of tropical luxury -- all by themselves -- with Disney amenities at their fingertips, including gourmet dining, recreation, beachfront cabana massages, entertainment and overnight accommodations on a private yacht.
• Spend the Night Inside Disneyland in Walt's Dream Suite: Using architectural renderings that Walt Disney himself commissioned for an in-park, family retreat that was never completed, Disneyland Resort is creating a lavish new guest suite in the park's New Orleans Square. Beginning Jan. 31, 2008 -- and continuing most nights throughout the year -- a different winner will be chosen through a random process to bring up to five guests to live Walt's dream and spend that night in the Disneyland Dream Suite inside Disneyland Park.
• Be the Guest of Honor at the Largest Character Breakfast in Magic Kingdom History: On Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, one winner and up to three guests will be treated to an unprecedented ultimate Disney character breakfast, with dozens of Disney characters in attendance, including Mickey and Minnie. Served in the shadow of Cinderella Castle, it will be the largest Disney character breakfast ever presented -- and it will all be in honor of one lucky winner.
• Celebrate New Year's Eve Inside Cinderella Castle: One of the most magical nights of the year, New Year's Eve, will be celebrated in royal style Dec. 31, 2008, by a winner and up to three guests inside the Cinderella Castle Suite in the heart of Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
• See the Stars at the "High School Musical 3" World Premiere: Two winners and up to three guests each will attend the star-studded film premiere of "High School Musical 3," the next installment of the record-setting Disney Channel movie series. One prize includes a VIP vacation to Disneyland Resort in California and the other features a VIP vacation to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida where the music and excitement of "High School Musical" comes to life in high-energy shows.
• Become a "Sorcerer's Apprentice" to a Disney Imagineer for the Day: Taking on the honorary role of a "Sorcerer's Apprentice," one winner and a guest will get to peek behind the magic and enter the secret labs of Walt Disney Imagineering. The prize includes a tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering campus and an Imagineer-guided tour of Disneyland Park.
• Become Disney's Grand Marshal Around the Globe: One winner and up to three guests will be sent on a 15-day, whirlwind tour of four Disney destinations on three continents -- Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Resort Paris. At each stop on the magical journey, the winner will serve as Honorary Grand Marshal of Disney's daily parade.

"During 'The Year of a Million Dreams,' we heard loud and clear from our guests that they wanted to keep dreaming even longer," Rasulo said. "We're pleased to be able to announce the continuation of the celebration today and introduce this catalog of fantastic new dreams to be awarded in the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway.

The 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway is part of "The Year of a Million Dreams," a pull-out-all-the-stops Disney Parks celebration that includes incredible new attractions, parades and interactive entertainment -- with even more on the way.

The Toys are Back in Town in a New Disney-Pixar-inspired Attraction:
Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts will open Toy Story Mania! a cutting-edge and interactive ride-through attraction that combines the fun of a video game, whiz-bang 3-D technology created by Walt Disney Imagineering and favorite characters from the smash-hit Disney-Pixar films "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2."

Interactive Entertainment Brings Dreams to Life for Guests of All Ages
The unique Disney Parks brand of entertainment that makes guests the stars of the show -- literally -- will share the spotlight at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts during "The Year of a Million Dreams," with expanded offerings that feature be-bopping, toe-tapping, lightsaber-wielding and pirate-plundering fun.

It's this type of interactivity that allows guests to live out the fanciful dreams of their imagination. Some of the highlights for 2008:

• Disney-Pixar Parades Debut on Both Coasts: The Disney-Pixar fun will continue to rock and roll throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in 2008, as characters from smash-hit animated films like "Toy Story," "The Incredibles," "Monster's, Inc." and "A Bug's Life" take to the street in "Block Party Bash." Disneyland Resort will be the home to the new "Pixar Play! Parade," an all-new Disney-Pixar-inspired parade that invites guests to play and dance along with favorite characters from hit films like "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," "Cars" and "Ratatouille."
• Wildcat Fever Pitch Spreads Across Disney Parks: "Wildcat fever" has guests dancing in the streets at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts in the new "High School Musical 2: School's Out!" interactive show. Inspired by the Disney Channel's record-breaking, original film, "High School Musical 2," the high-energy cast invites guests to join the fun as they sing and dance along to the movie's hit tunes. "High School Musical 2: School's Out!" concludes with an all-out dance finale featuring one of the film's soundtrack hits, "All for One," and a reprise of "We're All in This Together," from the original "High School Musical" film. "High School Musical 2: School's Out!" is presented multiple times daily at Disney's California Adventure in California and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.
• 'Obi-Wanna Bes' Learn the Ways of the Force: Taking a cue from the popular Star Wars™ Saga, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for "Jedi Training Academy," an original and intergalactic entertainment experience. Young Jedi hopefuls -- known in 'Star Wars-speak' as "Padawans" -- learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master before facing off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader. Created with Lucasfilm Ltd., "Jedi Training Academy" is presented multiple times daily, adjacent to the popular Star Tours attraction, at both the Disneyland Park in California and at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.
• Playhouse Disney Rocks the Mouse House: Debuting at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts in 2008 will be some of the most beloved characters from the Disney Channel lineup in "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" -- a singing, clapping and be-bopping show. Designed for preschoolers, the show stars favorites from popular Disney Channel programs including "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more.
• A Pirate's Life for Me!: Building on the worldwide popularity of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and attractions, Captain Jack Sparrow and his band of merry mates invite guests to their world of adventure at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. At Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Captain Jack himself leads a series of pirate "skill tests" to find honorary crew members, while at Disneyland Park, young buccaneers can enjoy the new Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, an island of interactive adventures and immersive entertainment for plundering pirates of all ages.
• Have Some Hootin' & Hollerin' Fun with Woody, Jessie & Bullseye: There's a rootin' tootin' good time in store as Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from the hit Disney-Pixar film "Toy Story 2" invite everyone to "Woody's Cowboy Camp!" in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. Designed for younger cowpokes, the rollicking hoedown features an Old West obstacle course -- maneuvering around parents donning hats shaped like cacti, mountains and mine shafts. It's kick-up-the-spurs, hootin' and hollerin' fun as the cowboy spirit comes to life on the dusty streets of Frontierland in Florida.
• A Magical Main Street, U.S.A. Parade: Guests are able to parade down Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom in Florida alongside favorite Disney characters in an interactive parade. For guests, it's a pennant-waving, drum-beating rush as they join characters to march alongside parade floats, a marching band and an old-timey fire truck. To accommodate pint-size paraders and their parents, there's even a "stroller drill team."

Boy, is my face red. The water from Italy is not from the Pope. It's from the Po, you know, the river Po. D'oh! Thanks to fellow theme park ranger Matt for correcting my geographically faulty ways.

Epcot 25 @ 1130

After the ceremony, several groups had photos taken. A meaner person might call them Epcotaholics, but they all had big grins going.

Among today's rock stars are Epcot VP Jim MacPhee, who happily meets, greets and poses for photos.

Also popular: George the tattoo guy, who sports hundreds and hundreds of tats, including one of Spaceship Earth on his leg.

Clarification about rededication. The point, a reader points out, was the VESSELS in which the water was transported. This was a throwback to a 1982 ceremony. Not sure about the Pope's role, but I'll check.

Also: will try to post your comments, Blackberry willing.

Epcot 25 @ 1030

The rededication ceremony just wrapped up with many Disney-style elements. Cast members representing all the Future World and World Showcase pavilions paraded about, and Disney execs talked about living the dream.

The main speaker was longtime Imagineer Marty Sklar. “Today on Oct. 1, 2007, we rededicate Epcot and ourselves to a new future that begins now,” he said.

He also quoted Walt Disney himself: “You can educate people, but don't tell people you're doing it.”

Also included was a pouring of water ceremony with H2O from the nations. America's was from the Mississippi, but Italy brought water “from the Pope.” Top that!

Epcot 25 @ 0930

It doesn't seem supercrowded yet, but that could be because so many folks are in various lines. The queue for limited edition pins stretches from the station back to near the exit of Spaceship Earth.

Meanwhile, in Mouse Gear, the Figment doll is in demand, possibly sold out. And the limited edition T shirt are in the clutches of early arrivers.

It's all to the tune of classic/retro Epcot music being piped in near the giant fountain.

Epcot 25, the beginning

Here begins our daylong blogging of Epcot's 25th anniversary day. So far, so beautiful, weatherwise. We were given a button and special guide map.

Disney officials said the celebration will begin with a rededication of the theme park, which will recreate the original opening ceremony at 10:01 a.m. Monday.

The event wraps up at 9 p.m. with a special Illuminations show that insiders said will triple the number of fireworks.

The park will also offer special giveaways Monday and will open a new exhibit on the park's past and future.

Epcot follows Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in California as the third most popular theme park in the nation.

Disney officials also announced that its "Year of a Million Dreams" will continue after 2007.

Officials said for another year, Disney will give away prizes like a night in the special royal suite they built in Cinderella's Castle this year.

To help "gear up" the excitement, Disney will debut a catalog of gifts money can't buy on the Internet, Local 6 reported.

Disneyland Finishing Private Apartment

AP - Designers and construction crews at Disneyland are completing a project that Walt Disney himself started more than 40 years ago -- a private living suite tucked into the theme park.

The Walt Disney Co. announced the project Monday, saying theme park guests will be able to win an overnight stay in the suite beginning next year.

Disney dreamed up the spacious suite in the 1960s and designed it with the help of illustrator Dorothea Redmond and Oscar-winning set decorator Emile Kuri.

The two bedroom, two bath, 2,600-square-foot apartment will be hidden away in the New Orleans Square area and include an open-air patio.

Disney wanted to use the living quarters for himself and his family, as well as for visiting dignitaries and other important guests. He died before the work could be completed, however, and the space became offices before being converted into The Disney Gallery in 1987.

Now, crews are redoing the rooms according to Disney's original plans.

"We want it to be more than just a beautiful suite. We want it to be filled with things that might have inspired Walt as he dreamed of Disneyland," said Kim Irvine, art director for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Decorations will include a full-size carousel horse, mechanical songbird and original wall paintings of European castles.

From September 25 until the end of October, over 10 mysterious attractions and entertainment offerings filled with ghostly encounters, will appear during the Haunted Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland. The creepy surprises will begin on Main Street U.S.A. with the Main Street Haunted Hotel. Space Mountain will soon be possessed and be known as Space Mountain – Ghost Galaxy. The pumpkin king, Jack Skellington, will gather his friends from the dark side to showcase UV "transformational" antics right in front of guests in the all-new nightly Glow in the Park Halloween Parade.

"We invite everyone to come and witness how Hong Kong Disneyland is being transformed into a Dark World this Halloween season," said Jill Estorino, Senior Vice President, Marketing of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. "In response to guest feedback, we designed this year's Halloween celebration so young adults will have a frightfully good time. The chills and thrills will never end!"

Guests can enjoy the Halloween entertainment with regular admission. The Park will extend its hours of operation on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on October 31, to 11pm. Available only during the Haunted Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland, a special evening ticket for weekend goers will be launched. Priced at only HK$198 (for all ages) guests will have even more flexibility to enjoy the Park from 6:30pm to 11pm (available on Fridays or Saturdays and October 31 only).

Hong Kong Disneyland to transform into an all-new "Dark World" during its Haunted Halloween

Here are the frightfully good times that guests can expect:

The Main Street Haunted Hotel

A secret passage has been discovered on Main Street U.S.A., which will bring curious guests to the once famous Main Street Haunted Hotel. The Hotel has seen tragedy after tragedy; numerous guests including a honeymooning couple had disappeared within its walls. It is believed that these tragedies are connected with the bizarre experiments that the one time owner Jack Maxwell carried out, along with his wife, Victoria. Brave guests can attempt to not get lost in this timeless space. While guests appreciate the luxurious decor and fine details that gave this hotel world renown more than a hundred years ago, they should beware of the hair raising haunts and living ghosts around every corner! Heed the hidden secret passages, strewn throughout or guests may never be able to make their way out…

Glow in the Park Halloween Parade

This spooky new seven-float sensation glows in the dark, as over 100 Cast Members including eight never-before-seen characters rock their way through the Park every evening in an attempt to transform Main Street U.S.A. into dark world central! Jack Skellington, together with his creepy Pumpkin Men, will lead the procession and guest will have the opportunity to behold the horror of Dr. Finkelstein's Lab! Scream with the Disney Villains and gasp at the daring Red Devils with their spine-chilling acrobatics. Guests should pay special attention so as not to miss the spooktacular transformation that will take place whenever the mysterious UV lighting effects strikes the parade; even guests will be transformed as part of the "glowing" antics! Don't be surprised if these wicked and spooky characters try to recruit guests to become part of their dark world.

Space Mountain – Ghost Galaxy

They say no one can heard screams in the cold depths of space, this Halloween the screaming will never end at Space Mountain – Ghost Galaxy. Space Mountain has been reinvented in a new and creepy way that will make hearts race and skin crawl like never before. Get lost in the terror of a frightening new soundtrack and the hair-raising visual effects, with scary apparitions and ghoulish monstrosities around every treacherous bend.

Hong Kong Disneyland to transform into an all-new "Dark World" during its Haunted Halloween

The Haunted Tree in the Sleeping Beauty Courtyard

If guests are lucky enough to escape the eeriness elsewhere in the Park, there is still no refuge at the Sleeping Beauty Courtyard, which will be overtaken by The horrific Haunted Tree with its sinister branches. It's worth a closer if one is daring enough! It will be terrifying location to snap a few pictures and there may be some unexpected surprises in the photo…

"Everyone, including families and children will discover all the surprises and fun that our Haunted Halloween has to offer," added Jill Estorino.

The haunted offerings will never end as the decor and music throughout the Park go through a complete transformation. Step into a spooky scene in Adventureland to take a picture with the wickedest of the wicked, including: Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians), Jafar (Aladdin), Captain Hook (Peter Pan) and the Grim Gatekeepers.

Meet favorite Characters as they carry out frights and delights. Join Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Donald and Daisy for a picture in their spooky Halloween costumes. Halloween treats will be available on weekends; and over 100 themed F&B and 130 Halloween merchandises items will be in restaurants and stores. Guests of all ages can take part in the Halloween fun, so stay tuned for more details!

Guests staying at the two themed hotels can also take advantage of the special Stay and Play for 2 Days offer that allows admission into the Hong Kong Disneyland Park for two days for the price of one, to fully experience the magic that will be created by the Haunted Halloween!

Younger guests can consider purchasing the-soon-to-be launched Student Annual Pass which will be available beginning August 28 to guests aged 12 to 25, who have valid full-time student identification. The Pass will be offered in three categories – Value, Deluxe and Premium – all priced at the Child Annual Pass.

Current Annual Pass holders are encouraged to renew their passes for another year, at a special concessionary rate, to enjoy the all-new and different Haunted Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Fans are so desperate for seats to her 54-date tour, kicking off later this month, that venues have sold out in as little as four minutes and scalpers are getting four to five times the face value - creating a torrent of complaints from frustrated parents.

"We knew it was hot, but we had no idea it was this crazy," said Debra Rathwell, senior vice president of AEG Live, which is handling her tour. "It's like the Beatles."

About 12,000 seats for the Memphis show were gone in 8 minutes. It took 15 minutes in Columbus, Ohio, and swift sellouts have been reported across the country - Nashville, Miami, Lexington, Ky. The Kansas City Council is investigating the matter.

One ticket for the show in Charlotte, N.C., sold for $2,565.

Miley, daughter of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, plays high school student Miley Stewart, who lives a secret double life as a famous pop star, Hannah Montana. Her show reaches 5 million viewers a week.

The sold-out "Best of Both Worlds Tour," which begins Oct. 18, follows the release of her double album, "Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus," which has already sold more than 1 million copies since its release in June. The first album, released late last year, sold more than 2 million copies.

Paige Nace, 35, hoped to take her daughter to see Miley at the Gwinnett Center outside of Atlanta. Nine-year-old Arianna had been begging to see her live ever since she started watching the show, Nace said.

"I think that it's pretty cool she is coming here," Arianna said. "I want to get up on stage and sing with her. Most likely every girl I know likes Hannah."

But in 4 minutes, tickets to the November show were gone. Nace said tickets were being resold for inflated prices on Internet sites like Craigslist and eBay Inc.'s ticket-reselling subsidiary StubHub.

"All the ticket brokers and scalpers are trying to sell them for $100-200 a piece," Nace said. "If they would have been face value, I would have gladly gotten them."

The tour promoter capped prices at $65 and put a four-ticket maximum on each transaction. However, the average ticket for the Hannah Montana tour was being resold for $214. That beats the average resale price for Timberlake ($182), Beyonce ($193), or The Police ($209).

The Police tour has been StubHub's best-selling tour in the company's history, but Hannah Montana has sold 35 percent more tickets in the same amount of time, and is outselling The Police by 25 percent based on dollar volume.

Understandably that's riling a lot of fans.

"It's always been a problem and it's getting worse and worse," said Rathwell, who says her company is doing all it can to reduce scalping. But with every show selling out immediately, there are few options for parents.

"Hannah Montana has essentially exposed a lot of frustration the average, uninformed ticket buyer has," said Sean Pate, a spokesman for the San Francisco-based StubHub. "There is so much demand that ticket sellers are pricing on the high side. It's almost unreasonable."

As technology changes and more venues start selling tickets online, scalpers are no longer those shady looking guys holding up tickets outside the arena. Most states have no restrictions on reselling tickets, even for a big profit.

Ray Waddell, Billboard's touring writer, says scalpers use automated computer programs that buy tickets quickly or tie up ticket phone lines with repeated calls. "It's really getting out of control," Waddell said. "The industry is kind of fed up."

Pate encourages Hannah Montana fans to sit tight and wait for prices to go down as the tour dates approach.

"The prices that you see now are not the prices that are going to hold," Pate said. "Parents need to set a price that they are comfortable with and watch the market on a daily basis."

Nace is refusing to deal with scalpers at all, but the situation has left both her and her daughter disappointed. "My mom is trying to do everything she can to take me," Arianna said. "I'm still going to listen to the CDs."

Following Mickey's successful introduction as a Clark doll in 1930, Minnie arrived in toy shops the following year. Together, the popular toys were produced in three sizes: 8.5", 13.5" and 18" – and only a very small number of the largest ones were made for display at prominent movie theaters, retail stores and the occasional photo shoot with Walt Disney himself.

Made of stuffed velveteen, Clark's trademark material, Mickey is detailed with four 2" diameter natural pearl buttons, and Minnie wears a silk-like skirt with lace-trimmed pantaloons. Each doll has a long, 32" tail.

"I'm really pleased to see the maturing of our auctions for high-end items through Hake's Americana & Collectibles," said Steve Geppi, owner and chief executive officer of Hake's parent firm Diamond International Galleries. "I think this event highlights our belief that, with our mailing list, we can compete with anyone."

"The overall strength of the character collectibles market is typified by the $151,534 price realized for these dolls," said Ted Hake, the company's founder and chief operating officer. "They are so rare I never thought I'd ever lay eyes on a set, let alone get a chance to auction this remarkable near-mint pair as the capstone to Hake's 40th anniversary year. These dolls stand at the pinnacle of iconic objects symbolizing the breadth and depth of American popular culture." Hake said the consignment was arranged by production manager Deak Stagemyer, himself a longtime Disneyana enthusiast.

"While the strong market for vintage Disney collectibles led us to have high expectations for these extremely rare dolls, we're happy to say that our goals were definitely surpassed," said John K. Snyder, Jr., president of Diamond International Galleries. "We also saw top prices for a significant number of other items in a wide variety of categories. It really is a terrific time for historic collectibles."

"We are thrilled to be hosting an international event of this magnitude that also delivers world-class entertainment," said Nancy Gidusko, director of Walt Disney World Minority Business Development. "Not to mention, our alliances with international organizations allow us to showcase Central Florida to multicultural businesses that will impact the region's economy."

Hailed as the Olympics of Salsa dancing, the World Salsa Championship gathers the winning couples and groups from different salsa competitions from Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Holland, Hong-Kong, Italy, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, UAE, United States, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to defend their titles in their respective divisions.

The four main divisions dominating this enclave of professional athletic-dancers are those of the LA style "On 1" emphasizing the first beat of the music; the NY style "On 2" emphasizing the second beat of the music; "Cabaret" which combines Salsa dancing with tricks, cartwheels, and flips; and "Team" where 6 or more dancers, up to 20 at once, perform at the same time.

Cultivating this worldwide Salsa dance movement is Salsa connoisseur Albert Torres who has managed to create a world dance championship with a culminating event for professional and amateurs alike.

ABC shows will be available on AOL starting today, a few weeks before NBC Universal and News Corp.'s Fox are expected to launch their jointly owned online venture Hulu, which will make NBC and Fox programs available on several major Web portals including AOL. CBS shows are already available on AOL. CBS is a unit of CBS Corp.; NBC is a unit of General Electric Co.

ABC's deal highlights how the online strategy of the major TV networks has evolved over the past 18 months, reflecting rapid growth in the number of people watching online video and increasing advertiser interest. In May of last year, ABC became the first of the major networks to offer its most popular shows in full and free on the Web. Most of the other networks followed.

Initially the networks' focus was to stream shows on their own Web sites, but media companies have changed tack this year, striking deals with major portals to ensure that as broad an audience as possible sees the show. Hulu, for instance, will allow viewers to watch NBC and Fox shows on AOL, Microsoft Corp.'s MSN, News Corp.'s MySpace and Yahoo Inc. Hulu is expected to start offering programs in October, although a precise date hasn't been announced. NBC yesterday announced an additional online service for its TV shows called NBC Direct, enabling viewers to download ad-supported episodes free from NBC.com.

ABC's agreement goes into effect days before the networks' fall season kicks off, ensuring ABC fans will be able to watch some of the network's new shows, such as "Pushing Daisies," as well as older shows such as "Grey's Anatomy." The shows will be available one day after they air on broadcast television, and approximately four episodes of every show will be available for viewing at one time.

ABC and AOL will share revenue from the arrangement under terms neither company would discuss.

Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney-ABC Television Group, said the deal with AOL marks a new phase in the network's digital strategy: opening up ABC programming to as large an audience as possible, but in a way that would protect the network's shows from piracy and appeal to both advertisers and affiliates.

As part of the deal, ABC will use "geo-targeting" to embed one local ad appropriate for each viewer alongside three national ads in each hour of programming. The deal is a welcome one for affiliates, which have feared being on the losing end as networks move their content online.

Rumor: Disney Remaking Tim Burton's Stop-Motion Frankenweenie Short

First Showing - Just over this past weekend some rumors have spouted up from the world of Tim Burton. While attending an early screening of Disney's Enchanted at the North Carolina School of the Arts this past weekend, a scooper reported that Dick Cook, the Chairman of Walt Disney, mentioned that one of the future projects in the works at Disney was another stop-motion animation film. When pressed further, he added that "the project would be helmed by the creative mastermind behind the majority of stop-motion pictures in the last decade." Might that be Tim Burton? I think so!

The plot thickens, though, but without any real confirmation. Cook didn't comment further or even hint at anything beyond that it might be Tim Burton or his counter-part, Henry Selick, who actually directed The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach and is a stop-motion mastermind himself. Where the rumors really start to fly is from an anonymous e-mail that the guys over at AICN received just yesterday.

That's all that it said, short and sweet. Frankenweenie is a black and white 29-minute short that Burton made back in 1984. The rumor is that Disney shelved the project because the content was too "questionable" for kids at the time. However, the film ended up on the Nightmare Before Christmas DVD after a few films like Burton's Beetlejuice and Batman became mainstream hits.

The short is a parody of the 1931 Frankenstein movie. When young Victor’ Frankenstein's pet dog Sparky is hit by a car, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's neighbors, he has to convince them and his parents that, despite his appearance, Sparky's still the good loyal friend he's always been.

The games open Tuesday and run through Oct. 11 across the continent. Opening ceremonies will be telecast on ABC Family on Thursday to mark the biggest event ever broadcast from China, bringing together more than 7,500 athletes from 164 nations and officials from 175 countries.

“We’re proud to support these amazing athletes and the Special Olympics organization,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks, president of Disney-ABC Television Group and Special Olympics International board member. “It’s an honor to be in China for the World Games, an event that celebrates the human spirit and the bonds that connect us all. And we’re thrilled to bring the opening ceremonies to ABC Family, so millions of people can share the experience.”

ESPN.com will create a dedicated Special Olympics World Games page, where fans can obtain general information and top stories from the Games as well as a schedule of events, athlete profiles and videos from the Games. Visitors to the site also will have the opportunity to participate in polls. ESPN Star Sports will deliver Asia-wide coverage of the opening ceremonies on Star Sports China as well as on all other beams of Star Sports.

Viewers in the U.S. will have access to a series of video diaries that will air on “Good Morning America” on ABC.

The closing ceremonies will include appearances by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who, along with Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto, will join the athletes and child representatives from the region.

Hong Kong Disneyland will give Special Olympics Hong Kong athletes a welcome-home celebration.