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 October 19 - 25, 2008 |
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Tuesday October 21, 2008 |
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Euro Disney defies turmoil Disney seeks probe of actions by Lehman officials Analysts fear park slowdown at Walt Disney Co. Disney excels during financial turmoil Ailing Woman Sues Disney For Kicking Her Off Ride Latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie to include Zac Efron Disney Interactive Studios to Release New ``High School Musical 3'' and ``Disney Sing It'' Video Games Roy Disney Donates $40,000 to HCC Nov 2 is Unofficial Harry Potter Day at Disneyland Baltimore Sailor Stars In New Disney Movie Disney Exec Harry S. Gold Dies at 50 BT Vision to get Disney Channel fare "Ich Tarzan, du Jane!": Disney's Tarzan Now Playing Germany Director Spike Lee axes agent after film flop |
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Euro Disney defies turmoil Telegraph - The France-based group said that attendance was up from 14.5m to 15.3m in the year to the end of September, while it slashed its annual net loss to 2.8m euros from 38.4m euros the previous year. Euro Disney, which has seen its share price fall more than 30pc this year on concerns that the credit crunch could effect attendance, has benefitted from the economic crisis, as British families opt for shorter and less expensive breaks. Ignace Lahoud, Euro Disney’s finance director, said: “We have seen many more visitors from Britain since the economic crisis started, although the weakness of the pound to the euro could be a problem. Whatever the case, people will always take vacations and many are looking to take shorter, more affordable breaks.” Revenue at the company’s two theme parks rose 8.7pc to 715.8m euros, while hotel revenue rose 6.7 pc to 515.6m euros and its hotel occupancy rate rose to 91 per cent from 89 per cent the previous year. Euro Disney has increased attendances with new rides such as the Tower of Terror, which opened in April at the Disney Studios Park. It has invested more than 100m euros in the new attraction and it is expected to generate additional turnover of 45m euros in 2009. The company, which has not turned a profit since it opened a second theme park in 2002, has offered discounts to families in an effort to get more visitors. “Our revenues, theme-park attendance and hotel occupancy contributed to our performance, which is noteworthy given the economic environment,” said Philippe Gas, the group’s chief executive. Walt Disney, the second-largest US media company, owns about 40 pc of Euro Disney’s stock, making it the company’s biggest shareholder. Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal is the second-biggest investor, with a holding of 10pc. The original resort, which included a theme park, a 27-hole golf course and seven themed hotels with 5,800 rooms opened in 1992 with a poor turn out and a mountain of debt. While there were expectations of half a million visitors, reports suggested that there had been just 50,000. In 2005, the company announced a restructuring program and a rights issue, which allowed it to invest in new rides after years of no investment. The theme park operator said recently that it is considering establishing a presence in Poland and Russia. |
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Disney seeks probe of actions by Lehman officials Los Angeles Times - The Walt Disney Co. on Monday joined a growing number of Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc. creditors to demand an investigation into the actions of the bank's officers and directors in the days before its collapse. In a filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Burbank entertainment giant said that the conduct of the investment bank after its Sept. 15 bankruptcy filing "gives rise to many important questions" about what happened to the bank's cash and the conduct of its independent officers and directors.
Disney called on the judge to
appoint an examiner to conduct an investigation.
"When creditors lose money, they deserve to know why and how," wrote Martin J. Bienenstock, a New York-based attorney representing Disney. "Therefore, it is particularly appropriate for an examiner . . . to file a public report providing sunshine and transparency to creditors in the case." Disney said it was owed $92 million from a currency exchange on the day the holding company filed for Chapter 11.
The filing is among several
seeking to find out what transpired in the investment
house's final days. The firm had reported a preliminary
third-quarter loss amid a dramatic drop in its stock price
and heavy client withdrawals.
An effort to sell Lehman to Bank of America Corp. fell through, and BofA instead said it would buy Merrill Lynch & Co. Barclays later agreed to buy Lehman's investment banking and trading units. At least a dozen current and former Lehman executives have been subpoenaed as part of a federal probe into whether the investment bank misled investors before its collapse. Disney shares rose $1.80 to $26.55. |
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Analysts fear park slowdown at Walt Disney Co.
CNBC - Shares in The Walt Disney Co. slipped further than the overall market midday Tuesday after two analysts raised concerns about the impact the economic downturn would have on theme park attendance and advertising revenue at its ESPN and ABC units. Disney shares fell $1.08 cents, or 4.1 percent, to $25.47, more than the 2 percent drop in the Dow Jones industrial average. Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne trimmed his outlook for earnings per share in fiscal 2009 to $2.24 from $2.53, and knocked his target price for the shares down to $29 from $37. "The current economic slowdown should impact Disney's theme park business and TV advertising," Swinburne said in a Monday note to analysts. He also trimmed an expectation for fourth-quarter profits to 48 cents per share, down from 50 cents. The company reports its fourth-quarter earnings Nov. 6. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters predict, on average, that Disney will post earnings of 50 cents per share on revenue up 5 percent at $9.36 billion. Meanwhile, Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet said a historical review suggested that a decline of one dollar of revenue in the park would translate into a loss of 43 cents of profit. "We are concerned that macroeconomic forces could conspire to slow Disney's earnings growth in 2009 and beyond," he wrote in an analyst note Monday. "And while we see no direct evidence of a slowdown in parks, we think it's quite likely that the weakness occurs in late 2008 and 2009." |
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Disney
excels during financial turmoil
Examiner - The Mouse House is on to something... or so think investor-guru-types anyway. Business Week has an interesting and thought provoking article about the media conglomerates and which ones will strive during the financial crisis. Disney is at the top of their list. They list a couple of reasons why, saying that the company that Walt built is less reliant on advertising revenues than comparable media companies. Also, Disney divested its newspapers in 1997, freeing them up from the decline of readership at just the right time. And there's that other thing... HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 is coming out! Who knew that a teeny-bopper musical on basic cable could turn into a major motion picture and franchise? Disney apparently. Business Week mentions that only they can turn the Zac Efron-helmed musical into theme parks, merchandising and movies. Who else could even try? By the way, just to keep this Pop Culture-y and not too business-y, High School Musical 3 is in the theaters on October 24. (sigh and swoon) Yes, in these our troubled economic times what we really need is a hot teen-aged boy singing while dribbling a basketball. And we need to buy the MP3s, school supplies and home goods tied into it. For me it's simple. They own the Muppets. And that's pure gold. |
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Ailing Woman Sues Disney For Kicking Her Off Ride WFtv - A Central Florida woman had a prescription for her chronic pain that included riding Disney's Tower of Terror. She says it actually worked, but says Disney kicked her out for riding the ride too many times and now she's suing. "I actually hold the record right now for the most rides of single riders which is 56 times," said Denise Mooty. Every Saturday for the past three-and-a-half years, Mooty has visited Hollywood Studios to ride the attraction. She rode it over and over, as many as 20 times in a row. Mooty has adhesions in her abdomen, essentially, internal scarring. She needs four to six surgeries a year to get rid of the adhesions. Mooty's doctor wrote a letter to Disney stating, "The benefit of riding the Tower of Terror breaks down these adhesions thus relieving her of so much pain." "Every since I've been riding the Tower of Terror, I only have to have one surgery versus several. It really works, the G-force of going up and down," said Mooty. Mooty had a guest assistance card and would either go through the Fast Pass lane or the back entrance. But then one day in August it all changed. "A different manager said she didn't care what my card said, I'm only allowed to ride the ride four times," said Mooty. Mooty said she was also told she could no longer use the back entrance. She spent the next couple of weeks arguing with Disney. In the end, she got booted out and was cited for trespassing and for using profanity. Mooty claims she did not do those things. For its part, Disney said there was never a restriction placed on the number of times Mooty could ride the Tower of Terror. The park said she used profanity in front of guests and that's why she was ordered out. But the park did say it would listen to an appeal of her case. Mooty is suing to get back on the ride and also to collect damages. |
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Latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie to include Zac Efron AP - Disney's High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron has been added to the cast of the fourth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. Reportedly, terms of the contract include Efron starring in another High School Musical movie which he previously stated he would not be a part of. Johnny Depp has already agreed to another Pirates movie. He is currently filming Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". It is believed that Keira Knightley will also be a part of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean movie which is rumored to be based on a search for the Fountain of Youth. |
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Disney Interactive Studios to Release New ``High School Musical
3'' and ``Disney Sing It'' Video Games Business Wire - The holidays come early this year with the announcement of Disney Interactive Studios’ imminent release of two new music and dance video games featuring popular music videos from Disney artists and dance moves from all three “High School Musical” films. High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! for the Wii home video game console and High School Musical 3: Senior Year for Nintendo DS are now available in stores. Fans can be the first to experience the latest sensation as the games release just three days before “Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year” leaps onto the big screen. High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC will follow in the first week of November. Disney Sing It, a new video-based karaoke game for the Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system will be available on October 28. Disney Sing It is the only karaoke video game to feature a mix of popular songs and music videos from favorite Hollywood Records artists, Disney Channel Original Series and Disney Channel Original Movies including fan favorites from the first two “High School Musical” films. The game also includes hits from “Camp Rock,” Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, Aly & AJ and more. The game’s 35-song set list is listed below. “With the release of these new video games, we’re bringing singing and dancing fun to Disney fans of all ages this holiday season,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Teens and tweens love playing games in a social environment, and we’re uniquely positioned to deliver that type of quality experience this holiday -- whether it’s belting out favorite songs for the highest score, hosting a living room dance party, competing in trivia games or taking the party online.” The Games High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! allows players to experience the energy, fun and music of all three “High School Musical” movies. Players dance to the beat of their favorite “High School Musical” songs in well-known movie locations alongside their favorite characters. They can play as familiar characters including Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, and Taylor, or create their own customized Wildcat. The game features various multiplayer modes, including competitive and cooperative play. Bundled versions with “High School Musical” branded dance pads will also be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 system as an added bonus for players who truly want the complete dance party experience. High School Musical 3: Senior Year for Nintendo™ DS is an all new rhythm-based game with brand new music from the theatrical release of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” The latest game in the franchise features all songs from the new film and allows players to take “High School Musical” themed quizzes to find out which Wildcat they have the most in common with. Captured character photos are used to create memorable layouts for the East High yearbook. The game takes the fun into a whole new dimension with DGamer™, the online community exclusively for Disney gamers. Players can customize unique 3-D avatars, create persistent profiles, chat with friends in a "High School Musical" chat room, share "High School Musical" themed accessories, earn in-game honors and unlock exclusive Disney content. Disney Sing It is a rocking video-based karaoke game that allows players to compete with and against friends in numerous multiplayer modes, including Duet, Versus and Team Play. With Xbox 360 Vision or to PLAYSTATION®Eye, players can see themselves on-screen replacing the video background. Kids can practice perfection as they get tips from vocal coach Olesya Rulin (Kelsi from “High School Musical”). Rulin guides players through various vocal exercises that the pros use to perfect their singing skills. In addition to personalizing the game experience with various digital themes, players can download new song packs via Xbox LIVE and PLAYSTATION®Network beginning in December. The Disney Sing It set list includes: Aly & AJ “Like Whoa” “Potential Breakup Song” “Chemicals React” Hannah Montana “Best of Both Worlds” “Life‘s What You Make It” “Nobody’s Perfect” “Rock Star” Miley Cyrus ”G.N.O” (Girl’s Night Out) “See You Again” “Start All Over” Everlife “Find Yourself In You” “Real Wild Child” Jordan Pruitt “Jump to the Rhythm” “Outside Looking In” Billy Ray Cyrus “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” Jesse McCartney “She’s No You” Corbin Bleu “Push It to the Limit” Vanessa Hudgens “Say OK” “The Cheetah Girls 2” “Dance With Me” “The Party’s Just Begun” “The Cheetah Girls: One World” “One World” “High School Musical” “Breaking Free” “Get’cha Head in the Game” “Start of Something New” “High School Musical 2” “Bet On It” “Fabulous” “What Time Is It” “You Are the Music in Me” “Camp Rock” “We Rock” “Start the Party” “This Is Me” “Gotta Find You” “Play My Music” “Hasta La Vista” “Here I Am” All titles have an Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of E for Everyone. For more information on Disney Interactive Studios, please visit www.disneyinteractivestudios.com. About Disney Channel Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 95 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 27 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group. About HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR, which finds high school seniors Troy (ZAC EFRON) and Gabriella (VANESSA HUDGENS) facing the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. With incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High’s talented ensemble. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR will be released only in theaters in Fall 2008. About Disney Interactive Studios Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS - News). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California and has five internal game development studios around the world including Avalanche Software, Fall Line Studio, Propaganda Games, Black Rock Studio and Junction Point Studios. |
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Roy
Disney Donates $40,000 to HCC KGMB9 - A man with a famous last name gave a large gift Monday to Honolulu Community College. Roy Disney gave $40,000 to the school's marine education training center, which teaches students how to work on boats. The classroom sits at Keehi Lagoon and is considered one of the premier training facilities for marine builders in the U.S. "Mr. Disney, I would like to say to you, mahalo, mahalo, for your most generous donation to our students and future students," said marine center instructor Bob Perkins. Disney's donation was a thank you to the people at the marine center, who helped Disney make the documentary "Morning Light" about a group of transpacific racers. |
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Nov
2 is Unofficial Harry Potter Day at Disneyland
Wired - There are rabid Harry Potter fans and there are rabid Disney fans, and never the twain shall meet. Wait. Scratch that. On Sunday, November 2nd, The North Orange County Harry Potter Meetup Group will be leading the celebration of the Second Annual Unofficial Harry Potter Day at Disneyland. Activities include the requisite Potter-esque costuming, a park-wide scavenger hunt, and photo ops galore. The full skinny from event coordinator Zoe reads as follows: So what're we doing? Well, on the surface it's exactly what it sounds like: a bunch of people who like Rowling and Disneyland hanging out together. We're organizing a really great scavenger hunt which I'm calling a Coin Quest. Here is the itinerary: 9:30am - 11am Check in for the Coin Quest at the Plaza Gardens 11am - 11:30am Gather together in Plaza Gardens, prepare for group picture. 11:30am Group photo at the Castle (followed by) CLUES GIVEN OUT... GO!! 12pm - 7pm Coin Quest! 7pm Turn in coins at Plaza Gardens. Totals tallied, winners announced, prizes distributed! After prizes given out: GROUP RIDE! (T.B.D.) There may also be a group watching of the Fireworks Spectacular. And at the end of the evening, several of us of-age Wizards and Witches will go to Downtown Disney for a nightcap of Butterbeer or Firewhiskey. More information can be found at the official (Unofficial) Harry Potter Disneyland Day MySpace, and I'm fairly certain attendance is mandatory. Something about a decree from the Ministry of Magic. |
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Baltimore
Sailor Stars In New Disney Movie WJZ - He grew up in Irvington and went to school in Baltimore City. It was an unlikely background for someone who became an accomplished sailor. Ron Matz has more on a young Baltimore man who's now one of the stars of a Disney adventure movie. "Morning Light" brings together
15 inexperienced sailors for the adventure of a lifetime. Manson learned how to sail at the Downtown Sailing Center. "I got a job here at the Downtown Sailing Center. They teach you basic sailing. It's a rigorous program. They ask a lot of you, but if you give a lot, you get a lot out of it," said Manson. Roy Disney and Leslie Demeuse
are the producers. "It was an awesome feeling on the water. Sailing in Hawaii is beautiful. The water is clean and crisp. You saw swells and 10-foot seas. You don't see that in Baltimore," said Manson. It's about sailing and much more. "A lot goes on out there you can't see. It's very human. It's about people. We made a movie not about boats, but about people," said Disney. Steve Manson is now attending
maritime college in New York. He's hoping his story will serve
as an inspiration to others. Steve Manson is majoring in naval architecture at the State University of New York. He's a graduate of Walbrook High School. |
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Disney Exec Harry
S. Gold Dies at 50 Broadway World - After fighting a long battle with cancer, theater executive Harry S. Gold died on October 10, 2008. He was 50. As the executive director of business and legal affairs for Disney Theatrical Productions, Gold oversaw the company's musicals on Broadway and internationally, managing the business and legal affairs of such hits at THE LITTLE MERMAID, Mary Poppins and THE LION KING. He joined Disney in 1997. Gold was born in New Haven, Connecticut, graduated from Wesleyan University and received a law degree from the Washington and Lee University of Law before working in Washington, D.C. as a litigation attorney. Before joining Disney, and while attending the theater management program at Yale University's School of Drama, Gold was a management associate at Niko Associates/Marvin A. Krauss Associated, where he worked on the Broadway productions of THE GERSHWIN'S FASCINATING RHYTHM, VICTOR/VICTORIA, HELLO DOLLY! and INHERIT THE WIND. He is survived by his parents. Donations can be made to Bideawee Home Association, Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS or Sarcoma Foundation of America. |
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BT
Vision to get Disney Channel fare Hollywood Reporter - Disney Channel U.K. has inked a multiyear agreement with BT Vision, the British telecom giant's broadband and digital TV service. BT Vision will make movies as well as programming from the Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney available to subscribers on-demand. BT Vision subscribers will be able to watch Disney shows including "Hannah Montana," animated series "Phineas and Ferb" and Mickey Mouse Club House, the parties said Monday. BT Vision has more than 300,000 subscribers in the U.K. |
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"Ich Tarzan, du Jane!": Disney's Tarzan Now Playing
Germany Playbill - The Disney musical Tarzan, which features a score by Grammy winner Phil Collins, opened at the Theater Neue Flora in Hamburg, Germany, Oct. 19. Produced by Stage Entertainment, the production co-stars Anton Zetterholm as Tarzan and Elisabeth Hübert as Jane. Both actors won their roles via the German reality TV casting program "Ich Tarzan, du Jane!" The Hamburg production of Tarzan, according to press notes, is an "immersive version of the musical, with audience members surrounded by scenic elements and performers acrobatically swinging through the air." This new interpretation of the musical has also garnered much acclaim in Holland, where Tarzan is playing the Circustheatre near Amsterdam. In a statement Thomas Schumacher, producer and president of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, "Along with our partners at Stage Entertainment, it's been a thrill to work closely with Phil Collins, Bob Crowley, Sergio Trujillo and Natasha Katz in the evolution of Tarzan from its inception in New York to this electrifying new incarnation in Germany. We're so proud that Tarzan continues to astound with this heart-stopping version of the show where audiences feel like part of the action." Tarzan opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre May 10, 2006, and played its final performance July 8, 2007, after 35 previews and 486 regular performances. The cast featured Josh Strickland in the title role with All Shook Up's Jenn Gambatese as Jane. The musical marked the Broadway directorial debut for Bob Crowley, who also designed the show. Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang wrote the musical's book based on both the Disney film and the original Edgar Rice Burroughs story "Tarzan of the Apes." |
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Director
Spike Lee axes agent after film flop Reuters - Spike Lee has left his Hollywood talent agent of more than 15 years in the wake of the dismal box office performance of his latest movie. The combative filmmaker jumped to Endeavor from William Morris, three weeks after his World War Two movie "Miracle at St. Anna" opened to just $3.5 million; the Disney release has grossed just $7.5 million to date. Before "Anna," Lee directed his largest-grossing film to date, the heist thriller "Inside Man," which drew $176 million worldwide in 2006. A sequel is one of several upcoming projects set up by William Morris. Lee did not respond to a request for comment. |
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Monday October 20, 2008 |
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It's Tinker Bell's week Disney's California Adventure coaster to get Goofy's Sky Skool makeover Waiting list for Disney film dress Pinocchio, Space Buddies get Blu-ray debut Disney's "Zack And Cody" Set Sail Roy Disney to Receive Ray Bradbury Creativity Award at Woodbury University |
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It's Tinker Bell's week Orlando
Sentinel - Tinker Bell and four new Disney fairies get a home at
the Magic Kingdom this week when Walt Disney World opens up its
new Pixie Hollow meet-and-greet attraction.The attraction is set to open Wednesday in Mickey's Toontown Fair area, just in time to preview the release, Friday, of the first Tinker Bell straight-to-DVD movie, based on stories developed for the old Disney character and her four new friends, Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist and Fawn. Until now the four new fairy characters and their story have been known through a new line of books, toys and a Web site, introduced by the Walt Disney Co. over the past couple of years. Tinker Bell was first introduced to Disney audiences in the 1953 movie Peter Pan. In anticipation of the new line of movies, Disney also is introducing a new line of costumes for young girls. |
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Disney's California Adventure coaster to get Goofy's Sky Skool
makeover
Los Angeles Times - Mulholland Madness - a themeless off-the-shelf roller coaster that earned Disney's California Adventure its on-the-cheap reputation - will get a Goofy's Sky Skool "refreshing" as part of a $1.1-billion effort to add a heavy dose of Mickey Mouse and friends to the under-performing theme park. Gone is the giant foldout map of Southern California that always seemed like a futile attempt to hide the fact that the coaster was nothing more than a wild-mouse ride found at any freeway entertainment center. Gone too is the Magic Mountain-esque, slapdash, Caltrans maintenance-yard theme involving little more than a plastering of roadwork signs. The new back story follows Goofy's attempts to teach a group of novice pilots how to fly. Naturally, things go awry. The reworked ride is expected to open in 2010. Bob Weis, California Adventure's chief imagineer, said the four-person Mulholland Madness cars will get an extensive makeover. The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, features a similarly themed Goofy's Barnstormer roller coaster with airplane styling and a front propeller. Blue Sky Disney suggests the Goofy makeover is merely a placeholder for a true E-ticket-type attraction — essentially a Disney character Band-Aid meant to hide a scar until more money frees up for future expansion. In addition to the Goofy coaster, Paradise Pier will get a complete Disney overlay in the next few years, with the Orange Stinger transforming into the Silly Symphony Swings (with a "Band Concert" Mickey Mouse makeover) and the park's iconic Sun Wheel becoming Mickey's Fun Wheel. The boardwalk games and shops, currently sporting tongue-in-cheek California references, will adopt new Disney character back stories as well. |
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Waiting list for
Disney film dress The Press Association - Girls will have to join the waiting list if they want to get their hands on a "must-have" dress worn by a Disney musical star. The floral dress, made popular by Vanessa Hudgens in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which is now on sale at Asda's George stores. However, the supermarket is predicting the replica dress will be an "instant sell out" and that, because demand is so high, girls will need to sign up to Asda's first waiting list. Asda says the new waiting list parallels those signed by dedicated fashionistas who ensure they are always first to get hold of the hottest designers' latest collections. The £16 dress, worn by character Gabriella Montez in the latest installation of Disney's hit musical, is available in sizes aged from 4 to 12 years. It has been replicated "stitch for stitch" to the design worn in the film. Fiona Lambert, design director for George, said: "Every young girl will want this replica dress in their party wardrobe and because of the quality and the fact it's not purely for 'dressing up', it will be worn way into Christmas and beyond." |
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Pinocchio,
Space Buddies get Blu-ray debut
Video Business - Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is kicking off 2009 with a bang, slotting 13 titles through the early part of the year, including bowing Pinocchio and its Buddies franchise for the first time on Blu-ray Disc. Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition, streeting on March 10 (prebook Jan. 29) for $29.99 on DVD and $35.99 on Blu-ray, will feature two recently discovered scenes and an alternate ending. Space Buddies, coming Feb. 3 (prebook Dec. 23) for $29.99 on DVD and $34.99 on Blu-ray, will mark Disney's third made-for-disc installment of the golden retriever puppy series, which is based on the studio's 1997 theatrical Air Bud. Disney also is rolling out in both formats summer Kevin Costner theatrical Swing Vote on Jan. 13 (prebook Dec. 2) for $29.99 on DVD and $34.99 on Blu-ray. Over the course of 2009, families will be a major target in Disney's efforts to expand Blu-ray adoption. "We are now into the third year of the Blu-ray format, and now is the time to broaden it to families," said Lori MacPherson, Disney general manager of North America. "We're very happy with the percentage of Blu-ray sales on [Oct. 7 release] Sleeping Beauty. Now is the right time to demystify the technology." Other DVD titles soon rolling into retail are Dec. 30 (prebook Nov. 4) TV releases The Secret Life of the American Teenager: The First Season and Kyle XY: The Complete Season—Revelations, both for $39.99, and Greek: Chapter Two for $29.99. Additional 2009 DVDs are Brideshead Revisited on Jan. 13 (prebook Dec. 2) for $29.99; Oliver & Company: 20th Anniversary Edition, Feb. 3 (prebook Dec. 23), $29.99; Bunnytown: Hello, March 17 (prebook Feb. 3), $19.99; Baby E: World Music, March 31 (prebook and price not set); School House Rock! EARTH, March 31 (prebook Feb. 3), $29.99; Handy Manny: Green Team, March 31 (prebook Feb. 17), $19.99; and MF Tigger & Pooh: Musical Too, April 7 (prebook Feb. 24), $26.99. |
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Disney's "Zack And Cody" Set Sail CBS News - The Sprouse brothers are no strangers to showbiz -- they have been in it since they were 8 months old. Today, the twins' Dylan and Cole Sprouse continue to thrive on screens big and small. The twins' hit Disney Channel sitcom "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" and their new show "The Suite Life on Deck" have made them a huge phenomenon in any language -- more than 180 translations have been made. Originally, "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" was about two mischievous twin brothers who live in a fancy Boston hotel where their mother is the headliner in a nightclub. About 100 episodes were filmed in three seasons, according to the hardworking Sprouse brothers. Their new adventure, "The Suite Life on Deck," isn't all that different from the old show. According to Cole, it's still Zack and Cody, but they are on a ship. This time around however, neither Ashley Tisdale of "High School Musical" fame nor Kim Rhodes will be part of the cast. The twin superstars, who are home-schooled on set, sometimes wish they could be ordinary high school kids. "Sometimes. We went to public schools from kindergarten through seventh grade and it was fun. But we also have three hours a day at school so how can we complain?" Dylan told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "We have to be thankful for what we have. A lot of kids would love to be in our situation and we realize that," Cole said. Although it's exciting to be famous, Smith inquired if it was really "as cool as it looks." "It is definitely -- it's a win/lose situation. You gain a lot perks and like Disneyland and stuff like that, those kind of perks, but you also loose a lot of the normal kid stuff, just walking around going to the movies kind of stuff," said Cole. Unlike their past, their future isn't scripted. "I'm not sure now. At this point in time, we just want to go to college. We just want to check out what our options are really," Dylan said. "We haven't really set our mind to anything specific just yet," Cole said. |
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Roy Disney to Receive Ray Bradbury Creativity Award at Woodbury
University Woodbury University - The Woodbury University Library Associates is proud to present Roy Disney with the Ray Bradbury Creativity Award. The Saturday, November 1 event will include a screening of the movie The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, written by Bradbury and produced by Disney. The movie is set in East Los Angeles and stars Joe Mantegna, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales, Gregory Sierra and Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez. A cocktail and buffet reception will begin at 6 p.m., with the movie beginning at 7 p.m. at Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank. A conversation with Disney and Bradbury and the award presentation will be from 8:15 to 9 p.m., followed by coffee and dessert. Cost is $50 per person ($20 for students). Proceeds benefit Woodbury University's Library Associates, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving library services. For information, please contact Rose Nielsen (rose.nielsen@woodbury.edu) or call 818.252.5230. Disney is the son of Roy O. Disney and nephew of Walt Disney, founders of the famous entertainment company. Disney was there when Snow White and Pinocchio were born and launched his entertainment career as an assistant film editor on the television series "Dragnet." He joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1954, working as an assistant editor on the successful True-Life Adventure films, including "The Living Desert" and "The Vanishing Prairie," both of which won Academy Awards. He later wrote and co-produced "Mysteries of the Deep," which won an Oscar nomination in 1959. Disney also wrote for television series, including "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" and the popular "Zorro," starring Guy Williams. Then, in 1964, he formed his own production unit - writing, producing and directing some 35 other television and theatrical productions, including "Varda, the Peregrine Falcon," "Mustang!," "The Owl That Didn't Give a Hoot" and "Pancho, the Fastest Paw in the West." He joined the company's board of directors in 1967, and served as the company's vice chairman and head of the animation department during the time Disney animation produced some of its greatest box office successes of all time such as "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King." Founded in 1884, Woodbury University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Southern California. Woodbury offers bachelor's degrees from the School of Architecture, School of Business, School of Media, Culture and Design, and Institute of Transdisciplinary Studies, along with an MBA program, Master of Architecture in Real Estate Development, and Master of Organizational Leadership. A San Diego campus offers bachelor of architecture and master of architecture in real estate development degrees. www.woodbury.edu |
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Sunday October 19, 2008 |
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Two Cast Members Honored as 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassadors Kirstie Kelly and Disney to Unveil New Bridal Collection for Plus Size Women German soccer league eyes 4-year rights deal-report |
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Two Cast Members Honored as 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassadors Disney
News -
Before an audience of more than 1,000 Cast Members, media and
former Ambassadors, Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier
announced the 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team at
Disneyland today. Cast Members Danielle DuBois and Quinn Shurian
will serve as the 44th team to represent the resort and its Cast
as the 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassadors.“Being chosen to represent 20,000 Disneyland Resort Cast Members is an incredible honor and one of the highest achievements of a Disney Cast Member. This program is a unique and important part of our company’s heritage,” said Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier. “These two Cast Members will take the magic and good will of Disneyland throughout our community and beyond in the coming year.” The prestigious honor of being selected as a Disney Ambassador began during the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, when Walt Disney realized the need for an additional representative to help fulfill the many media, public appearance and VIP hosting requests he received. He selected the very first Ambassador in 1965 and the tradition has continued ever since. Today, the Ambassador selection process involves months of preparation and interviews with fellow Cast Members and executives where candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate the depth of their Disney knowledge and their passion about being a Disney Cast Member. The new Ambassador team will represent the company during the recently announced “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign. The celebration runs through 2009 and invites all guests to mark their special occasions at a Disney park in a way only Disney can provide. Their full-time duties include participating in more than 200 events from - Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009 - including Cast Member recognition ceremonies, grand openings, marketing events, special promotions and media interviews. They will also host dignitaries and other VIPs at Disneyland Resort. In 2006, DuBois began her career at the Disneyland Resort as a lead and trainer in the imaging department. Prior to that, DuBois lived in Yokohama, Japan and served as an English teacher to students that ranged in age from 3 to 80 years old. After attending California State University, Chico, where she received a degree in communication design, DuBois participated in the Up With People Worldsmart program – an international community service youth group. For one year, DuBois dedicated her time to giving back through performances and activities in 18 countries. DuBois attended College Park High School in Pleasant Hill and currently resides in Irvine, Calif. Shurian began his career at Disneyland in attractions in 1994 and had roles in Guest Relations and Guest Communications before reaching his current position as a communications specialist in Cast Communications. He also is an Adventure Guide for Adventures by Disney – traveling around the world sharing his passion for Disney with families on vacation. Shurian has been a Disney VoluntEAR for nearly 10 years – dedicating time to various projects around the community. Two of those years he has held spots on the Disney VountEARS Leadership Council. Shurian attended Newbury Park High School and currently resides in Orange, Calif. |
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Kirstie Kelly and Disney to Unveil New Bridal Collection for
Plus Size Women Business Wire - In celebration of the princess in every woman, Disney and renowned designer Kirstie Kelly are launching the “Red Label” collection of plus size bridal gowns designed specifically for plus size women. Kirstie Kelly for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings - Red Label, will be showcased in glamorous style at the New York Bridal Market during a runway show at the Waldorf Astoria. Since the initial launch of the Disney Princess-inspired bridal collection in April 2007, the line has expanded to include Maidens for bridesmaids, Princess Blossoms for flower girls, Jewels, jewelry and veils and now the Red Label collection, each inspired by the Disney Princess franchise. The new Red Label bridal line consists of 15 new dresses and caters to women who wear a size 16 or larger. Today more than 48 percent of women are considered plus size, and according to the U.S. market research firm NPD Group, plus size merchandise accounts for one in five women's apparel purchases, a growth of 20 percent between 2003 and 2007. Kirstie Kelly incorporated luxurious appliqués and treatments that accentuate the natural femininity and beauty of women who are taller and fuller and every bit as much of a princess as the Disney Princess characters Ariel, Aurora/Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Cinderella, Disney’s Princess Jasmine and Snow White. Each Red Label gown allows the princess within to shine through with a couture sensibility and detailed fabrications including silk chiffon, satin, taffeta and elegant accents with touches of crystal and pearl, ribbon and exquisite embroidery and delicate beadwork. “The Red Label collection is designed to allow the essence of each woman to come through in a very natural way,” said Kelly. “These gowns are designed to flatter and fit the curves of a rubenesque figure, creating an elegant silhouette and enhancing a woman’s body style.” The launch of the Red Label collection continues the runaway success of the Kirstie Kelly for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings line. Now available in more than 140 salons in the U.S. and nine countries globally, the line gives women the chance to realize the dream of royalty on their special day in a line of fashion forward gowns that bring out the princess in every woman. “With a new line of fashion forward bridal gowns designed specially for plus size women, Kirstie Kelly has helped make the dreams of women come true,” said Pam Lifford, executive vice president, global fashion and home, Disney Consumer Products. “By expanding the line with the Red Label collection, we have invited all women to fulfill their dream of being a princess on their wedding day.” Kirstie Kelly For Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings will also unveil the latest platinum gown in the line which is inspired by Sleeping Beauty/Aurora. This special gown reflects the essence of this most romantic Disney Princess with a crystal-beaded strapless ball gown with delicately beaded illusion sleeves and a cathedral train. For more information on Kirstie Kelly for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, please visit www.disneybridal.com. About Kirstie Kelly Kirstie Kelly of Kirstie Kelly, Inc. designs couture bridal gowns with the highest quality and attention to detail. A graduate of The Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles, she has been designing bridal and evening wear for more than a decade. Hailed in USA Today as one of the 2003 season's new designers favored among celebrity brides, Ms. Kelly has a growing client base that includes individuals who are influencing the worldwide media, art, culinary and political societies. For more information visit www.kirstiekelly.com. About Disney Consumer Products Disney Consumer Products and affiliates (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS - News) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books and magazines to foods and beverages, stationery, electronics and fine art. This is accomplished through DCP's various lines of business which include: Disney Toys, Disney Apparel, Accessories & Footwear, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, Disney Home and Disney Stationery. Other businesses involved in Disney's consumer products sales are Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines and www.disneyshopping.com, the company's official shopping portal. The Disney Stores retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America and Europe. The Disney Stores chain in Japan is operated under a license agreement with Disney. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com. |
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German soccer league eyes 4-year rights deal-report Reuters - Germany's DFL soccer association may switch to awarding media rights for Bundesliga matches for four years instead of three when it launches a new tender this month, Germany's Der Spiegel magazine reported. It also quoted industry sources as saying Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) unit ESPN could enter the race for the rights and was in talks with German cable television operators about this. Switching to four-year contracts could allow owners of the rights to plan better and could raise more money for the league, the magazine said, citing league sources as saying discussions with German anti-trust regulators were under way. The magazine said German pay-TV group Premiere (PREGn.DE) had already registered for the new rights tender that starts on Oct. 31. DFL was not immediately available for comment. Premiere said only that it wanted to continue its cooperation with the DFL. Premiere, which lost out on the Bundesliga rights in the last tender and had to strike a deal with victor Arena, is counting on winning this time to lure more customers. German anti-trust authorities had blocked the DFL's plans to boost the value of pay-TV broadcasts of live matches -- it now gets over 400 million euros ($539 million) a year -- by insisting coverage of highlights on free television start only late on Saturday. According to media reports, the DFL is discussing a plan under which a match of the day would be played early on Saturday evening, the time when free-TV broadcaster ARD traditionally runs match highlights. Spiegel quoted ARD director Fritz Raff as saying ARD vehemently opposed the idea and would bid much less for rights than before if this were the case. (Reporting by Michael Shields, editing by Swaha Pattanaik) (michael.shields@thomsonreuters.com, Reuters Messaging: michael.shields.reuters.com@reuters.net; +49 69 7565 1266)) ($1=.7424 Euro) |
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