Disney Marathon, Half Marathon to Run on Separate Days Jan. 7th and Jan. 8th 

Disneyland: Working the crowds 

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues Through 2006 

HK Disneyland to Release Limited Edition Pin Sets for Festivals 

Darren Star gets development deal with ABC 

Disney Resort Guests Get More Perks 

NTU's Disney connection 

ABC Family Airs 'Wife Swap' Marathon Sunday, January 15 

Disney revamps its 'Jungle' shows 

Ricci Accentuates 'Anatomy' 

A Disney double for special twin sisters 

ABC Bets Again on Hayek's 'Betty' 

How Do You Disney-fy a Famous Wit and Manwhore

Disney Marathon, Half Marathon to Run on Separate Days Jan. 7th and Jan. 8th

 

The 13th annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Jan. 5-8 includes a new split-day format, with the 13.1-mile half marathon on Saturday, Jan. 7 and the 26.2-mile full marathon on Sunday, Jan. 8.

With the races occurring on separate days for the first time, a new competition, Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge, is offered for registered participants who complete both races -- a total of 39.3 miles -- across Walt Disney World Resort during the two days. Competitors who accomplish this impressive physical challenge will receive a special Goofy Medal in addition to the Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse medals, which are awarded to half marathon and marathon finishers, respectively.

With the deadline passed, some 30,000 participants are signed up to compete in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (16,000 in the half marathon, 14,000 in the full marathon). More than 3,000 participants have registered to compete in both races. Also featured during the weekend: Disney's Health & Fitness Expo at The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Jan. 5-7.

Disneyland: Working the crowds

Visitors making their annual pilgrimage to Anaheim over the next 10 days could be greeted by this sign: Disneyland is full.

The holidays are the busiest time of year at the Disneyland Resort and this year, with heavy marketing for the 50th anniversary, even more people are trekking to see the Christmas tree, entertainment and nighttime snow on Main Street.

While "sold-out" is good news for most businesses, it puts Disney officials in a bind: How do they provide the expected level of customer service to people inside the park, and not disappoint those who are waiting outside?

"We're very sensitive to both," said Jon Storbeck, vice president of park operations, "to those in the park who want a great experience, and for their safety. But we're also sensitive to that guest who has traveled a long way to get to Disneyland and wants to come in. It's a balancing act."

The company will restrict access by halting ticket sales to Disneyland once it reaches capacity, which is estimated at 75,000 to 80,000 people. During those peak times, people who already have admission tickets normally will be allowed to enter, but no new tickets will be sold until enough people leave the park. Visitors are encouraged to go next door to California Adventure as an alternative.

Disneyland was so crowded Dec. 10 that it closed the gates to everyone temporarily, something that rarely happens, Storbeck said. Disney has implemented plans since then to avoid another closure, if possible, and to augment its usual crowd-control measures.

Officials use a database of information to gauge when they are likely to be at peak capacity. That allows them to extend the park's hours, boost staffing and be on alert to halt ticket sales, if necessary.

To help manage the throngs inside, Disneyland calls for volunteers from its executive and administrative staff to work shifts on the front line. Roughly 600 office staff have worked in the park so far this month, trading time at their desk jobs to bus tables, stock shelves or work crowd control.

The additional staff improves customer service, Storbeck said, and it also gives the office workers a better understanding of park operations. The program, called "cross utilization," also was put into action during the busy July anniversary.

Karen Cortez, a Whittier High School student working at the Plaza Inn restaurant, got a hand this week from Lori Krug, a finance manager who volunteered for park duty.

"We have to teach them where everything is, but it helps," Cortez said. "It's better than having only one pair of hands."

Grouchy visitors seem to recognize that the regular cast is getting some help to serve them, said Heather Gardner, a training manager who poured beverages Tuesday at the River Belle Terrace.

"As a trainer, it has been highly beneficial for me to see what our cast does each day," she said. "It helps me understand what they need."

In a move to enhance traffic flow, Disney officials also did something highly unusual. They're allowing visitors to walk "back stage" - in the employees-only area - to avoid jams on Main Street. During peak times, visitors are guided on specific routes that go behind the facades, emerging at the end of Main Street or in Tomorrowland.

Disney also hands out a daily guidebook with tips on how to optimize your visit, including a recommendation to rent strollers early. To improve traffic flow around the entrance to Disneyland, stroller rentals were moved into the esplanade this month.

"We also urge people to call ahead for an estimate of how busy that day might be, and what attractions are open or closed," Storbeck said.

Along with crowds at the park, there's little room at the inn - the Disneyland hotels. The 50th anniversary promotions have been so successful that the resort's three hotels are at near peak capacity, stirring speculation that Disney is considering plans to build another hotel.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues Through 2006

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is poised to ring in 2006 with the stage set for an exciting era of future growth in the family vacation market. This follows an historic year in 2005 that was highlighted by the kick off of the global celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary and the opening of Disney's first theme park in China -- Hong Kong Disneyland.

"We believe the best is yet to come," said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo.

"As proud as we are of all we accomplished in this phenomenal, landmark year, we are even more excited about what is ahead," Rasulo added. "The 50th anniversary global celebration, coupled with our exciting menu of attractions, live shows and entertainment at Disney's theme parks, has strengthened our deep relationships with millions of families around the world."

Rasulo said these relationships will form the foundation for growth, and cited the following key building blocks for Disney's future in the family vacation market:

-- New technologies and breakthrough innovations that allow Disney to bring favorite stories and characters to life in whole new ways;

-- New ways to vacation with Disney and experience its unique, immersive form of entertainment outside of the traditional theme park offerings;

-- And the continual evaluation of opportunities to bring the Disney theme park experience to new parts of the world.

Historic Milestones Celebrated by Millions Worldwide

In May of 2005, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts kicked off its first-ever global celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Disneyland -- the park that started it all. The 18-month celebration continues in full swing at the Disneyland Resort in California and Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. All Disney destinations are part of this historic celebration -- and have added new attractions, shows and other offerings to entertain families all over the world.

"Disney theme parks touch people on an emotional level," said Rasulo. "The anniversary celebration is a golden opportunity to encourage Guests who have made memories with us to return and re-live them and to make more. And, through our innovative marketing campaigns, the anniversary is attracting waves of first-time Guests and establishing what we hope are lifelong relationships with them."

Rasulo also points to the September opening of Hong Kong Disneyland as a major milestone in the company's ongoing growth strategy. "Establishing a foothold in Asia introduces a new generation to the Disney experience," Rasulo said, "and in return, we're extending the Disney brand to millions of potential consumers in one of the fastest-growing regions of the world.

"We are pleased with the success of Hong Kong Disneyland to date," Rasulo added. "Having already entertained well over one million Guests, we know our Guests in Hong Kong love our product and expect our newest theme park will continue to be a success."

50 Great Years. What's Next?

In addition to the continuation of the 50th Anniversary celebration that lasts throughout the new year, immersive Disney experiences that combine innovative, high-quality content with cutting-edge technology are in the works around the globe for 2006 and beyond.

At Florida's Walt Disney World Resort, a massive recreation of the Himalayas is the setting for a thrilling adventure called Expedition Everest, scheduled to open in April 2006 at Disney's Animal Kingdom. In their quest to bring authenticity to this new attraction, Walt Disney Imagineers partnered with Discovery Networks and Conservation International in a scientific expedition to the Himalayas for a first-hand exploration of the legend of the mysterious Yeti.

"Our passion for bringing great stories to life has taken Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to amazing places over the last 50 years," said Rasulo. "Over the next 50 years, we will continue to scale new heights in our ongoing quest to create great experiences for our Guests."

In California, the Disneyland Resort is bringing to life a popular creative franchise with Monsters Inc: Mike & Sully to the Rescue, which will open at Disney's California Adventure on January 23, 2006. And in 2007, new technology will take Disney storytelling to the next level as the "subs" return to Disneyland in Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. In this all-new adventure, Guests will travel to the undersea world of "Finding Nemo," where they'll see and interact with characters that appear exactly as they do in the Disney/Pixar Animated Studios film.

At Hong Kong Disneyland, Autopia, a classic Disney favorite, will let Guests of all ages drive along futuristic highways through surreal, out-of-this world landscapes. It will be the first Autopia with electric powered vehicles -- and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2006.

Disneyland Resort Paris also plans several major new attractions to open over the next three years. Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, based on the highly popular attractions at other Disney parks around the world, will open at the Disneyland Park in 2006. In 2007, Walt Disney Studios Park will add a new land called Toon Studios, which will immerse Guests in the magical world of Disney's animated movies. And in 2008, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will come to Disney Studios -- plunging Guests into a thrilling experience based on the iconic attraction at other Disney parks.

In the fall of 2006, Tokyo DisneySea also will open its own Tower of Terror.

Disney Cruise Line will offer Guests new experiences as well in 2006. In May, a new seven-night itinerary will be available that includes two stops at Disney's private-island getaway, Castaway Cay. The itinerary will also include a stop at Cozumel and a new port of call -- Costa Maya. Additionally, in September the Disney Wonder will embark on two extended itineraries -- one 10-night and one 11-night cruise to Southern Caribbean ports, including Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua and Castaway Cay.

"As exciting as all these activities are, they represent only a few of the new products and experiences in development for 2006 and beyond," Rasulo added. "As Walt once said, 'Disneyland will never be completed, as long as there is imagination left in the world.'

"That statement continues to hold true today as we constantly look for new and compelling ways to entertain our Guests throughout the world," Rasulo concluded.

HK Disneyland to Release Limited Edition Pin Sets for Festivals

Hong Kong Disneyland announced on Thursday that it is to issue limited edition Disney pin sets in celebration of the park's first festive season.

Starting from Friday, the Happy Holidays 2005 six-piece collection will be on sale, and features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto -- complete with gifts and a centerpiece Christmas tree.

Hong Kong Disneyland Director of Merchandise Phyllis Wong said, "the Happy Holiday collection captures the warmth and magic of the holiday season at Hong Kong Disneyland and is the perfect way to commemorate our first Christmas in Hong Kong."

Only 2,005 Christmas pin sets will be available for sale, which is presented a golden gift box with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Then on New Year's Eve, guests can usher in 2006 with a walk down memory lane as Hong Kong Disneyland releases another 500 limited edition pin sets featuring Mickey Mouse in his mot acclaimed films through the years.

The park will also arrange one of Hong Kong's most magical countdown this New Year's Eve.

Hong Kong Disneyland has just launched cooperation on ticket selling with quite a number of local travel agencies, in an effort to attract more visitors.

Darren Star gets development deal with ABC

"Sex and the City" creator Darren Star is developing two projects for ABC, one of which is guaranteed to be made into a pilot next year.

One project is already in the works, Daily Variety reported Thursday, a half-hour comedy by writer Darlene Hunt of "Good Morning Miami."

The comedy working under the title "The Model" is set along New York's fashion runways, Variety said. The executive producers of Bravo's reality show, "Project Runway," are also involved in the project.

Star told Variety work on a second ABC project is under way, but no details were offered.

Disney Resort Guests Get More Perks

Disney water parks join the roster of theme parks participating in the Extra Magic Hours feature at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests staying at any Disney hotel will be able to enjoy an additional hour of splashy fun at Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. The water parks will open one hour before the regularly scheduled opening time, providing access to all attractions and preferred seating.

Extra Magic Hours also are available at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom -- on select days one hour prior to regularly scheduled park opening, and on other days up to three hours following the park's closing. Selected attractions are available for the exclusive use of Disney Resort hotel guests.

Guests are required to present their Disney Resort identification card along with a valid theme park admission ticket.

NTU's Disney connection

A BIT of Disney magic is emanating from a corner of Tuas now.

All thanks to Professor Isaac Kerlow, the new dean of Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Art, Design and Media - Singapore's first professional art school offering degree courses.

Prof Kerlow, 58, a leading authority on 3-D computer-generated animated design, was a top executive in Walt Disney from 1995 to 2004. (See report on facing page.)

Before he was offered the job as dean, his knowledge of Singapore was limited to Singapore Airlines, his 'favourite airline'.

He also did not realize that Singapore was starting to take big strides in the art, design and film industries.

Since the beginning of this year, he has been tasked with developing the art school, with a budget, that 'exceeds' that of the top 10 art and design schools in the US.

But he did not want to disclose the amount.

Prof Kerlow, a Mexican who has worked in New York and Los Angeles for over two decades, said: 'I think it's a great opportunity to build a new school from scratch with such amazing support. Not only from the university, but from the country.

'It's not that often you get this opportunity. I know the deans in the top 10 art schools in the US. Nobody has a budget that we have. We have a very generous budget, which is a great thing.'

Before Disney, he was a professor in well-known design school Pratt Institute in New York for 10 years.

He is also the author of several books, including a textbook, called The Art Of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, that has been translated into several languages including Russian and Mandarin.

At Disney, he led a group of animators and digital artists in Disney Interactive that developed and produced CD-ROM, online and platform games. He was also involved in cutting production costs.

Before taking up the job here, he said, he was doing consulting for animation companies around the world and in Asia, while working on two animation films.

One of them, a Christmas animation movie, is due to be released in 2007.

He has been here for less than a year, but has made some observations about how things work, and how they expect things to be done - at short notice.

He said: 'We hired 20 people in a few months, put together the first year curriculum in a few short months, got some interim space built for us, and here we are!

'We viewed 1,000 applications... and we started with 108 people in July.'

He noted that Singapore was behind South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, in terms of its 'social understanding of art, in terms of the development of design, in terms of creativity of entertainment industry'.

But, he notes, the Government is addressing the problem.

Which is why it has started the school and is wooing big names in the industry here.

ABC Family Airs 'Wife Swap' Marathon Sunday, January 15

Have you ever wondered what life was like in someone else's shoes? Find out during ABC Family's Wife Swap marathon on Sunday, January 15 (12:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET/PT) featuring seven back-to-back episodes of the hit series.

In each episode, two wives discover that the grass is not always greener on the other side when they hand over the keys to their homes and literally switch families for two weeks on the reality show Wife Swap. In the first week of the swap, the wives move in with their new family and adopt their very different lifestyle. They agree to follow a manual written by the departing wife that sets out the rules of their new household. But in the second week, everything changes. The new wives take charge and introduce their own set of rules and run the new household their way. At the end of the show, the two couples meet for the first time. In a highly-charged exchange of views, both couples make a frank assessment of each other and talk about what they've learned from the experience.

WIFE SWAP MARATHON SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 15 (12:00 – 7:00 PM ET/PT)

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm WIF-1008 Pyke/Smith
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm WIF-1009 Cedarquist/Oeth
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm WIF-1010 Flummerfelt/Bray
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm WIF-1011 Burkhalter/Elliot
4:00 pm – 5:00pm WIF-1012 Paiss/Davis
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm WIF-1013 Parsons/Bramhall
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm WIF-1014 Harris/VanNoy

Please note, the Wife Swap Marathon replaces the previously scheduled Gilmore Girls Marathon on January 15th.

Disney revamps its 'Jungle' shows

There are some new adventures lurking in Disney on Ice's jungle.

"3 Jungle Adventures'' has been reworked since it debuted in 2000 and played in Cleveland in early 2001, according to skater Craig Horowitz. The show features highlights from three Disney favorites - 1967's "The Jungle Book,'' 1994's "The Lion King'' and 1999's "Tarzan.''

"This one has been updated,'' Horowitz said. "It's a really cool, kind of newfangled story. Timon and Puumba (from 'The Lion King') are trying to find their perfect home. It's narrated very well, and they've actually shortened it a little bit.''

The production still preserves the big musical numbers from those shows - "I Wanna Be Like You'' and "The Bare Necessities'' from "The Jungle Book''; "Hakuna Matata'' and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight'' from "The Lion King''; and "Trashin' the Camp'' and "You'll Be in My Heart'' from "Tarzan.''

The action plays out on a set that transforms the ice into a botanical paradise with a massive tree as the centerpiece, and vines, scenery and sound effects used to recreate the temperate locale. Costuming also turns skaters into a herd of elephants and other jungle species.

So as not to destroy the magic for the young children who are the core audience, it's Disney on Ice's policy that skaters do not specify what roles they skate in interviews, but Horowitz did say he is featured in "The Jungle Book'' portion.

"Once you cross that curtain line, you actually become that character,'' he said. "You feel it's a part of you, a second skin almost.''

Staying in character is important because the cast brings the jungle adventures into the audience.

"With this show, there's a lot of audience participation, which is fun to be able to get off the ice and interact directly with the audience,'' he said. "Really, that interaction is what's so great about this production. When you go to a movie theater, you don't have Baloo or Goofy come off the screen and interact with you.''

Horowitz has climbed inside the skin of many Disney characters. This is his 17th year with Disney on Ice, and he's skated roles in "Mickey's Diamond Jubilee,'' "Beauty and the Beast,'' "Aladdin,'' "Toy Story'' and Feld Entertainment's "Grease on Ice.''

Playing the Genie in "Aladdin'' was his favorite role because, "It fit my personality to a tee.'' Not surprisingly, he also sang the praises of his current production, particularly the acrobatics in the "Tarzan'' segment and the aerial moves executed without a net by Tarzan and Jane on a vine over the ice.

When he first auditioned and was cast while in college, Horowitz thought he would stay with the ice show for a year at most.

"It just worked out and was perfect for me,'' he said. "Ive been to Japan six times. Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, everywhere in the United States and Canada. It's a very close-knit family. We celebrate all the holidays together. I can't give you enough superlatives about it.''

Horowitz also met his fiancee, who also is a skater, through the show. The tour for "3 Jungle Adventures'' ends in April, his wedding is slated for June, and Horowitz said he is ready leave the ice, but not the ice show.

"I want to stay with the company in a different aspect, maybe getting into the promotions side of it.''

Ricci Accentuates 'Anatomy'

A Disney double for special twin sisters

Santa might not have been able to grant their wish, so the Make a Wish Foundation has stepped in to help.

Jessica will celebrate her 14th birthday in Disneyland.

It will be her second trip to the theme park. She shares the Disney fascination with her twin sister, Stephanie, who was granted the same wish seven years ago. It just took Jessica all that time to decide her wish.

The sisters suffer from the same degenerative disease.

The funds were raised by Wok In A Box stores with their Wok A Wish Day. Raising more than $10,000, AMP Foundation stepped in to match the funds dollar for dollar.

ABC Bets Again on Hayek's 'Betty'

Monsters to the rescue 

Pleasure Island may get makeover 

Disney launches Web personalization with Zazzle 

Settlement reached with teacher who tried to sell Disney tickets 

Disney Cruise Line Tropical Hideaways and Black-Sand Beaches Beckon 

ABC News' Brian Ross Wins Award for Congo Coverage 

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe'' Releasing in China 

Cincinnati ABC affiliate says 'don't waste your money' on Apple iPod

Monsters to the rescue

Mike and Sulley, characters from the "Monsters, Inc." movie, are off to the rescue once again, this time in a new attraction that Disney hopes will lead the revival of California Adventure.

The nearly 5-year-old theme park, struggling to connect with visitors, might be able to attract some of the big holiday crowds away from Disneyland with the Monsters, Inc. ride and a new piece of interactive technology - the first three-dimensional figure that can talk to guests.

The family-friendly attraction, the first of more to come, opened this week for sneak previews. An official opening is scheduled for January.

As riders turn the final corner in Monsters, Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, they come upon Roz, an animated version of the crotchety dispatcher in the film. She twists her long neck and turns her spectacles toward them, using several of her 19 programmed functions. Then she surprises them with a personalized greeting.

"Lady in the second row, is that your husband with you?"

Tiffany Gillespie of Portland, Ore., nodded and then laughed as Roz growled: "Well you better keep an eye on him. He's been winking at me."

Disney Imagineers who created the ride won't say exactly how Roz works. That's part of the "magic" and they decline to reveal it. But it's safe to say a human being watches who is in the approaching cars and then programs Roz to deliver an appropriate line. After one day's testing, concept creator Kevin Rafferty was already jotting down ideas for new lines.

While Disney infused more thrills in the park last year with Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, this addition delivers delight.

"It's surprising and reassuring at the same time," Rafferty said. "You know the story and characters from the movie, and you know what to expect from a Disney dark ride. But there are a few surprises."

The theme park industry recognizes the need to make its attractions more interactive, particularly as it targets the teen and tween markets that expect that element in their entertainment. Disney Imagineers are leading the way with characters such as Roz, which they classify as a "living character." The characters utilize Disney's groundbreaking audio-animatronic technology, developed in the 1960s, and then take it to another level to "communicate" with visitors.

Disney has entertained generations of visitors with passive shows, including parades, live stage shows and traditional dark rides. But this year it opened Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Disneyland, giving riders a laser gun to aim at targets and earn points. California Adventure also debuted Turtle Talk with Crush, a movie-screen character who interacts with guests.

The Monsters, Inc. attraction invites visitors to line up at the Monstropolis Transit Authority to catch a taxi from the human world into the monster world. Once there, they are purely observers of the action: Two monster "heroes" evade an evil monster and help Boo, a lost child, get back home.

The Monsters, Inc. attraction would rate as a high "C" if Disney still used its original ticket books, with rides starting at "A" and working up to "E" for the biggest thrills. It's likely to be most popular with younger children and fans of the movie. While it's not a blockbuster, it provides a much-needed boost for California Adventure and it signals Disney's intent to accelerate development of a park that opened in 2001.

"We're just getting started," said Rafferty, who is working on several Disney attractions. "This is the first step into the future for Disney's California Adventure."

While the major work will be done next year, Disney has begun improvements already. The area leading to the Monsters, Inc. attraction, called the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, has a new fountain and two rows of trees. Visitors had complained that California Adventure lacked enough shade on sunny days.

Food service, which was shut down in this area because of lack of traffic, resumed this week. The Studio Catering Co. offers take-away food with tables out front.

The Monsters, Inc. attraction includes 40 custom-sculpted characters and thousands of details, and there's a reason behind every prop, gag and sound. From the facade of doors outside that leads you into another world to the cold blast of air that hits riders passing a monster snowman, each piece must contribute to the story line, said Jodi McLaughlin, the show producer.

McLaughlin's job was to design every square inch of space with the kind of detail that ensures "high repeatability." While the ride has a simple story, people are expected to board again and again - justifying Disney's expense - because they see something different each time.

They're also likely to watch for their favorite parts, like the distinct smell of ginger in the chaotic Japanese restaurant scene, or the sudden apparition of Randall, the evil chameleon, in the bathroom scene.

Something as subtle as the soundtrack, which begins playing in the ride's line, was so critical that Imagineers hired a 48-piece orchestra to help "capture the emotion" of the theme.

Another unique feature is the video terminal in the ride vehicle. As riders board their taxi, they see and hear a news clip that sets the stage for the four-minute story they're about to experience.

Though it doesn't officially open until January, visitors are likely to be able to catch a ride on most days as Imagineers test and tweak it. Disney fit the attraction into the same building as the old Superstar Limo ride, and the vehicles follow the same track.

Pleasure Island may get makeover

 

Don't be surprised if the new year brings some changes to Disney's Pleasure Island.

I'm hearing Mouse officials are reviewing the nighttime entertainment complex with the idea of some updates. Given the competition from places like Universal's CityWalk, that's understandable.

Among the things under consideration, I'm told, is opening a bowling alley and dropping the every-night-is-New-Year's-Eve theme, which has been around since 1990.

And, for certain, the West End stage on the Island, where a deejay is often found, is going away to make entering the island easier.

Earlier this year, Disney got rid of the admission charge to the Island, replacing the $20.50 gate charge with individual covers at the clubs.

Disney launches Web personalization with Zazzle

The Walt Disney Co.'s online shopping site on Wednesday launched its first "You design it" feature in a move aimed at riding the fast- growing trend toward giving choosy Internet shoppers exactly what they want.

Disney partnered with online customization site Zazzle.com, which licenses thousands of images from Warner Bros., Marvel Comics Inc., Lucasfilm Ltd. and 20th Century Fox, among others, and also allows users to sell their own art for use on personalized T-shirts, greeting cards and postage stamps.

It took Disney, which aggressively protects its copyrights, about two years to figure out how to open its vast art archives, while controlling how consumers could use its characters.

"Disney very much wanted to create the Disney experience and insure products we ultimately sell to consumers protect the brand and reinforce a lot of what it stands for," Zazzle co-founder and Chief Executive Robert Beaver said. "That was our challenge from an engineering standpoint."

Zazzle's Disney boutique, which can be accessed via disneyshopping.com and disneyinkshop.com, allows consumers to select a Disney character, T-shirt style and color and to add a name or phrase from an approved list.

The 4,000-plus Disney images can also be used on stamps or greeting cards on Zazzle.

Disney, which has long allowed customers to add their names to items sold at its stores and theme parks, is "constantly looking to add personalized items for guests," said David Barad, Disney's vice president of marketing for Disneyshopping.com.

"Everything we look at we are now looking at ways to let the guest make it their own," Barad said.

Online holiday shopping was expected to reach $26 billion in 2005, an 18 percent increase over 2004, according to JupiterResearch.

Sales of Disney personalized products were expected to rise 25 percent to 35 percent over last year's holiday quarter, Barad said. Personalized products made up 10 percent to 12 percent of Disney Shopping's overall business last year and were expected to grow to 15 percent, he said.

"Of the items that we have for personalization, over 90 percent (of consumers) personalize them," Barad said. "That is telling us pretty powerfully that they want to personalize it."

The partnership with Zazzle allows Disney to market its secondary characters, which usually are not licensed by traditional retailers and to tap into emerging, consumer-driven trends, Barad said.

"That's the great thing with the Zazzle business -- we can try to take advantage of characters we didn't see (as pop culture icons)," he said.

Settlement reached with teacher who tried to sell Disney tickets

Florida's Education Practices Commission issued a one-year retroactive suspension that ended last year to a former music teacher at Glade View Elementary who tried selling Disney World tickets purchased by the school, according to a settlement reached earlier this month.

Elizabeth Wacker and her husband were caught by Orange County sheriff's deputies in 2003 with 56 tickets that were supposed to go to Glade View Elementary students.

The school board suspended her for 30 days. Wacker also agreed to be placed on probation for two years, take a 3-credit hour college course in ethics, pay a $100 fine and restrict her employment to jobs where she won't handle school funds. She no longer works for the school district. 

Disney Cruise Line Tropical Hideaways and Black-Sand Beaches Beckon

Now that cold winter weather is here, Are you  daydreaming about tropical breezes, sparkling-blue oceans and sandy beaches? Then there is no better time to book a 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises aboard the Disney Wonder.

Did you know this is the first time Disney Cruise Line has included exotic Barbados and the black-sand paradise of St. Kitts as ports of call? Here’s a closer look at these special itineraries:

September 7, 2006 This breathtaking, 10-night cruise takes you to the heart of the Caribbean and Disney’s Bahamian paradise, Castaway Cay. Linger in luxurious ports of call, such as lush St. Lucia, vibrant Barbados and glittering Antigua. Snorkel in the sparkling waters, discover pirate coves or just bask in the warmth of the tropical sun.

September 17, 2006 Sail away for 11 nights to the emerald tropics of the Southern Caribbean. From the warm hues of Barbados to the black-and-white sands of St. Kitts, feast your eyes on the lavish colors that bloom at each enticing port of call. Splash in the pearly waters at Castaway Cay or bargain hunt at the shops of St. Thomas.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe'' Releasing in China

--"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" will be released Spring 2006 in China it was announced by Mark Zoradi, President, Buena Vista International, Inc. (BVI).

Zoradi said, "It is a great honor for us to have the film accepted by China Film for release in China. It truly highlights the universal appeal of the film's story and how it is connecting with audiences worldwide. We have had tremendous success with our recent releases in China including 'National Treasure' and 'The Incredibles.' We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with China Films, with what is sure to be another huge box office success."

C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England who enter the world of "Narnia" through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming world inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over "Narnia" in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free "Narnia" from Jadis' icy spell forever.

The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for New Zealander Andrew Adamson (the Oscar-winning "Shrek," "Shrek 2"), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Ann Peacock (HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying") and scribes Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer.

Since its December 8 opening, the film has earned $200M+ in global box-office receipts and has achieved numerous Walt Disney Studios box-office records. With the Christmas holidays just beginning, "Narnia" looks to re-write box-office history in numerous territories. The following are some key highlights:

North America

Posted the second biggest December opening in industry history earning $65.5M from 3,616 theaters and the industry's third biggest bow of 2005. Following this auspicious start "Narnia" has held exceptionally well ultimately crossing the $100M+ U.S. box-office mark in only nine days matching a TWDC company record for a live-action film. As of today "Narnia" has now earned more than $125M+ since beginning its domestic release on December 9th.

International Marketplace

Internationally "Narnia" has generated more than $85M since beginning its release on December 8 from only thirteen territories. Considering that the majority of these results were posted during the non-holiday play period, it is truly an exceptional performance. The following individual territory achievements are particularly noteworthy:

U.K.

Generated the biggest BVI UK of all-time surpassing Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo's" debut by 20%.

SPAIN

Registered the fifth biggest opening in industry history (behind only "Torrente 3," "Harry Potter 4," "Star Wars 3" and "Lord of the Rings 3") and the biggest ever for a non-sequel. Setting a new high for BVI Spain eclipsing Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo's" start by almost 30%.

MEXICO

Posted a new all-time high for BVI in the territory exceeding Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo" by almost 30%.

NEW ZEALAND

Posted the biggest non-sequel debut ever, the best ever for BVI and the fourth biggest, sequel or non-sequel, of all-time.

MALAYSIA

After only two weeks of release, the film is now the biggest BVI release ever in this territory.

About Buena Vista International, Inc.

Buena Vista International, Inc. is the international theatrical distribution arm of The Walt Disney Studios. It is headquartered in Burbank, California with 27 offices worldwide.

Cincinnati ABC affiliate says 'don't waste your money' on Apple iPod

"One of the hottest selling items this holiday season has been Apple's iPod. But many stores ran out by early December [sic]... And many of us don't have 200 bucks for a music player. So should you consider a cheaper, off brand player? Kathy Grau, like many parents, found an iPod atop her daughters wish list this year. 'My daughter wanted an MP3 player...She'd prefer an iPod...But shes 11 so she's going to get an MP3 player.' Why? Because Kathy learned there's a big difference between the hot iPod and the not-so-hot mp3 players from Sony, RCA, and others. The price! While the red-hot iPod nano sells for 199 dollars...Kathy could grab an RCA Lyra for just 39 bucks. 'You can find them as cheap as 39 dollars...they do the exact same thing.' Here at hh gregg's florence store... Digital music expert Chris Benzinger says if you can live without the iPod name ...You'll find lots of cheaper alternatives. Chris says this imitation iPod from Toshiba has the same bells and whistles for a lot less... So don't waste your money," John Matarese writes for WCPO in Cincinnati.

Disneyland's spell fades in expectant Hong Kong 

Ten thousandth participant in “Around the World at Epcot” tour recognized 

'Casanova' crew rose to Venice challenges 

Shanghai underwear firm gets Disney magic 

ABC gets real on riots 

Jose Miguel Arroyo plays Santa Claus 

Make it work 

Drawn to Florida 

Disney Channels celebrate first birthday 

"Little House on the Prarie" on DVD 

Christmas Around the World from Walt Disney World Radio Program

"Desperate" Dismissee's Bad Rap

Jose Miguel Arroyo plays Santa Claus

True to his promise, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo yesterday played Santa Claus to Filipino gold medalists in the recent Southeast Asian Games by taking them to Hong Kong for a fling at its magical Disneyland.

All told, 337 people left on four separate planes -- one of them a chartered flight -- to celebrate in the magical kingdom of Mickey Mouse, Peter Pan and Tarzan the country's feat of winning the overall Games championship for the first time ever.

Arroyo said the treat was financed by private sponsors and his friends who wanted to reward the athletes for propelling the Philippines to the top of the Games' gold medal chart.

Airport officials, who had been previously reprimanded by their superiors for talking to media about the movements of members of the First Family, declined to release the full list of contingent members. But some 200 gold medalists were believed among those bound for Disneyland.

Each athlete reportedly received $300 pocket money.

Of the 337 holiday makers, officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said 142 left on Philippine Airlines flight PR 300 at 8 a.m. They included 80 athletes, Arroyo, his son Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo and the latter's family.

Make it work

When Walt Disney World launched a free shuttle service between the theme park and Orlando International Airport last May, few imagined it would be so wildly successful -- and controversial.

Customers love the service, dubbed Disney's Magical Express. And for good reason. It allows them to check luggage at their hometown airports, and never see it again until they arrive at one of Disney's on-site hotels.

Convenient, absolutely. But other travelers reap considerable benefit, as well. The shuttles handle an average of 10,000 visitors a day, exceeding even Disney's initial projections. That's 10,000 fewer passengers clogging baggage-claim carousels and waiting in line at airport ticket counters to check luggage. Thousands of customers also get boarding passes at Disney resorts, further diminishing airport-ticket lines. Passenger bags also are screened at a remote location leased by Disney, requiring fewer federal security personnel and reducing by as much as 20 percent baggage handling demands at the airport.

Clearly, similar shuttle services are the travel wave of the future. And it's in everyone's best interest -- including the airport's -- that the Disney project succeed.

Unfortunately, however, airport executives seem to view the service as more of a threat to airport revenues than a significant improvement to airport operations. While they're still crunching numbers, they worry that Disney's service may reduce concession fees from rental car operators, which now support about 17 percent of the airport's operating budget.

There's a simple answer to that potential problem: Reduce the airport's dependence on car-rental fees by exploiting the economic development potential of its massive land holdings -- particularly at Orlando Executive Airport.

This isn't just about Disney, after all. Airport officials fully anticipate that other tourism interests will want to replicate the hugely popular service. What's more, it's a definite precursor to mass-transit links at the airport. What will the airport do then to make up for lost rental-car revenue?

The status quo clearly isn't an option. Disney estimates, for example, that airport efficiencies resulting from its express bus service could forestall construction of an additional terminal at the airport by as much as seven years. In the long run, that's a significant cost savings for airlines that are obligated to pay for the new facility.

Clinging to an outdated financing paradigm only puts the airport -- and all of Central Florida -- at competitive risk. In a post-9-11 era, additional aviation-related security concerns make customer-service innovations even more imperative.

Orlando International Airport's stellar reputation was built upon a strong foundation of passenger-related amenities. That focus worked well then, and it will continue to serve the airport and the community well in the future.

"Little House on the Prarie" on DVD

The Wonderful World of Disney's spring 2005 mini-series "Little House on the Prarie" is coming to DVD on March 28th, 2006. The 2-disc set will contain all the installments of the studio's retelling of the pioneer life of Laura Ingalls, her family and neighbors. The 254-minute series will be presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Bonus features (if any) have yet to be announced.

Christmas Around the World from Walt Disney World Radio Program

Check your local radio station for Christmas Around the World, live from MGM Studios at Disney World. A special featuring celebrity guests and music. Orlando's WDBO will air the program for 11 hours beginning at 9a Christmas morning. Los Angeles' KABC will air the program beginning at 6p Christmas Eve through 6p Christmas Day.

"Desperate" Dismissee's Bad Rap

He's no K-Fed, but recently dismissed Desperate Housewives cellar dweller Page Kennedy is following in Mr. Spears' media-hatin' musical footsteps.

The actor has released a rap track, "Hold On," via his Website, chronicling his hiring and rapid firing from the ABC mega-hit over an alleged flashing incident on the set.

Kennedy's song starts off harmlessly enough, with the actor rapping about his excitement over his new status as a Wisteria Lane resident: "Best show on the air/Best show in America/ That's right, Page is right there...25 million viewers a week/25 million connoisseurs that'll speak highly of me."

His enthusiasm quickly wanes, though, when as his career goes from "on the verge of striking like matches" to his termination for what ABC called "improper conduct." Variety subsequently reported Kennedy's "improper conduct" involved someone on the crew, while the National Enquirer claimed he was let go for flashing two female coworkers.

"I'm wondering when I can hold up my chin/When this nightmare'll finally end...Follow me as I show you/What goes on in Hollywood/ Where everything is so wrong/Where they build you up just to tear you down," he raps on the track.

"Tabloids...Started spreading all of these rumors and allegations/Sad thing is they weren't even exaggerations/They were complete lies and the media seems to stick together like fat guys and Supersize fries."

Kennedy has stood by his original claim that Touchstone Television--the show's producer--simply decided to "go in a different direction" and bought out his contract.

Or, as Kennedy, raps: "Let me set the record straight/ My departure was part of a particular incident/That I'm done mentioning/What else can I say/They went another way/They recast me/Right after they unmasked me."

Kennedy also worries aloud over what his kids will think of the rumors, and at one point in the song there is a gunshot, followed by a little girl crying "Daddy?"

The actor, who has been off the radar since his dismissal, also addresses why he decided to release his song now, long after the tabloids have moved on from the incident.

"I put my words to music/Maybe I need a pen to get in all of my feelings/So the healing can begin...They goin' regret it/After they recast it won't be the same/You can tell 'em I said it/But no hard feelings," he raps.

Clearly.

The song can be listened to in its entirety on the actor's Website, www.pagekennedy.com.

French antitrust watchdog fines Disney unit for price-fixing 

'Commander In Chief' Joins iTunes Playlist 

Hang on (to your), Disney 

Mourning for Monday Night Football 

King Kong vs. Narnia 

For These Sisters, Walt Disney World is Only 26.2 Miles Away 

Disney Starts Walt Disney World Podcast 

Elephant Family Grows Again At Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Great Raid 

The Brothers Grimm 

Chicago: The Razzle Dazzle Edition 

Once Upon A Mattress 

Britney Spears Sues Magazine

ABC has added another of its hit shows, the first-year drama "Commander In Chief," to the roster of TV series available for download onto an iPod.

Starting Tuesday (Dec. 20), all nine episodes of the show, in which Geena Davis plays the first female president of the United States, are available on Apple's iTunes service. New episodes will pop up the day after they run on ABC; the show is scheduled to return to the air Tuesday, Jan. 10.

As will all other TV offerings on iTunes, episodes cost $1.99 each.

"Commander In Chief" is the third ABC series to join the iTunes list, following "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives." The network's parent, Disney, also offers three Disney Channel shows, while NBC Universal has placed several of its current shows, clips from "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and past shows like "Knight Rider" on the service.

The series is the most-watched new show of the season, drawing an average of about 14.7 million viewers per week. Joining iTunes could conceivably help bring some younger viewers to "Commander In Chief," which skews somewhat older than ABC's other big hits.

The Great Raid

 

Miramax Home Entertainment presents THE GREAT RAID, an epic WWII adventure in the tradition of "Saving Private Ryan," on DVD December 20. This thrilling film is the inspirational true story of the most successful rescue mission in U.S. military history, where a courageous U.S. Army Battalion and their freedom-loving allies liberate over 500 prisoners from an enemy camp. The film's sweeping storyline enlists a large, excellent cast that includes Benjamin Bratt ("Miss Congeniality," "Catwoman"), James Franco ("Spider-Man"), Connie Nielsen ("Gladiator," "One Hour Photo"), Marton Csokas ("The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"), Mark Consuelos (TV's "All My Children") and Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare In Love").

THE GREAT RAID will be available in separate editions: the Theatrical version (single disc in full frame aspect ratio) and an Exclusive Unrated Director's Cut Edition (2-disc in widescreen aspect ratio, with full novel The Great Raid on Cabanatuan by William B. Breuer included).

Never-before-seen bonus features are: deleted scenes (with optional director commentary); "The Price of Freedom" - Making The Great Raid; "Captain Dale Dye's Boot Camp"; War In The Pacific Interactive Timeline; Sound Mixing The Great Raid; The Mix Board; The Veterans Remember; Feature Commentary with the director, producer, technical advisor, editor and book author. The 2-disc Director's Cut edition includes everything in the Theatrical Edition plus: more deleted scenes, "The Ghosts of Bataan" 60-minute documentary; "The Veterans Remember"; history lessons with author Hampton Sides; boot camp outtakes; and a "Dedication to the Soldiers of Bataan."

Set in the Philippines in 1945, The Great Raid tells the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Bratt) who undertake a daring rescue mission against all odds. Traveling deep behind enemy lines, the 6th Ranger Battalion aims to liberate over 500 American prisoners-of-war from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp.

In the camp, a group of American POWs struggle to survive in appalling, disease-ridden conditions. Although their leader Major Gibson (Joseph Fiennes) does his best to keep his men alive, their fortunes grow worse when an enemy order is given to kill the prisoners. In occupied Manila, Gibson's love Margaret (Connie Nielsen) works with the underground resistance and tries to shuttle black-market supplies to the prisoners. Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Mucci's team, with Captain Prince (James Franco), fights against the odds and races against time, with only one chance to rescue their comrades.

Screenplay by Carlo Bernard & Doug Miro. Based on the books The Great Raid on Cabanatuan by William B. Breuer, and Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. Directed by John Dahl ("Rounders," "The Last Seduction").

On DVD, never-before-seen bonus features for THE BROTHERS GRIMM are: feature audio commentary with director Terry Gilliam, deleted scenes with optional director commentary; "Bringing the Fairytale to Life" (behind-the-scenes featurette); and "The Visual Magic of The Brothers Grimm."

Matt Damon and Heath Ledger team up to bring you one of the year's most fantastic adventures in this magical tale based on the lives of the legendary storytellers. Will and Jake Grimm (Damon and Ledger) dazzle small towns with their imaginative folklore and elaborate illusions. But when the brothers journey into a real enchanted forest they encounter many of the fantastic characters and thrilling situations found in their beloved fairy tales. THE BROTHERS GRIMM also stars Peter Stormare (TV's "Prison Break"), Lena Headey ("The Cave"), Jonathan Pryce ("Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl") and Monica Bellucci ("The Passion of the Christ," "The Matrix Revolutions").

CHICAGO is the big, brassy hit movie that wowed audiences and garnered six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Stars Catherine Zeta-Jones ("Ocean's Twelve"), Renée Zellweger ("Cinderella Man," "Bridget Jones's Diary"), Richard Gere ("Shall We Dance?"); Queen Latifah ("Bringing Down The House"), and Lucy Liu ("Charlie's Angels") lead a singing, dancing cast that heats up the screen.

In CHICAGO, it's 1929. The city's hot with murder… passion… fame… sex… And All That Jazz. The Windy City's promise of adventure and opportunity dazzle Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger), who wishes to follow in the golden footsteps of sensational vaudeville performer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Roxie gets her wish when some very wrong steps land both the star and starlet in prison for separate murder charges. Under the crooked care of the prison's Matron Morton (Queen Latifah), Roxie meets up with legendary lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). Roxie's career skyrockets, but the clever Miss Kelly has some surprises left for her second act.

Catherine Zeta-Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress 2002 for "Chicago." Renée Zellweger won the Golden Globe for Best Actress and Richard Gere won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Based on the award-winning musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Screenplay by Bill Condon. Directed by Rob Marshall.

When Sir Harry (Broadway star Matthew Morrison) and Lady Larken (Zooey Deschanel, "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy") learn that they are to become parents, wed or not, Sir Harry takes matters into his own hands and goes into the swamp to search for a bride for the prince. There he discovers Princess Winnifred (Tracey Ullman). The Queen is horrified and schemes to get rid of Princess "Fred," but aided by Sir Harry and the Jester (Michael Boatman, TV'S "Spin City"), Winnifred stakes her place in the kingdom. Tom Smothers (of the famous "Smothers Brothers" comedy duo) and Edwin Hibbert ("The Lion King 1 ½") also star. Available for $19.99 (SRP) on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Touchstone Television.

The DVD is packed with fun bonus features including: "The Making of Once Upon A Mattress;" hilarious outtakes; and a rehearsal to film comparison.

Teleplay by Janet Brownell. Based on the Broadway Musical by Marshall Louis Barer, Dean Fuller, Jay Thompson and Mary Rodgers. Directed by Kathleen Marshall (Tony award winner, Best Choreography, Broadway's "Wonderful Town" 2004).

Britney Spears Sues Magazine

"Laughter, disgust or goofy behavior": Just part of being a celebrity? Not according to Britney Spears.

The gyrating songstress sued paparazzi glossy Us Weekly to the tune of $20 million Monday.

The saucy warbler's libel lawsuit claims the magazine published a false story reporting that she and her husband, dancer Kevin Federline, made what an older generation called a "stag film."

The article claims the duo viewed the homemade sex video with their estate planning lawyers, as they were anxious about its release. According to the lawsuit, the Oct. 17 story allegedly added insult to injury by stating that Spears and her husband were "acting goofy the whole time" while viewing the supposed blue movie with the lawyers.

As many readers know--whether they admit to it or not--heiress Paris Hilton seemed to appear in such a video, spread virally throughout the Internet. But perhaps la Hilton enjoys staying on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list for its own sake. (see: "Gorog's Napster Striptease Ad Banned In U.S.")

Spears, on the other hand, is a new mom--so the stakes may be higher when it comes to how she's perceived, not to mention the very question of the as-yet unverified existence of the alleged tape.

"There was no laughter, disgust or goofy behavior while watching the video in the company of lawyers because they did not watch any video, and because there is no such video," the lawsuit stated.

A telephone call made by The Associated Press after business hours Monday to the glossy's Los Angeles office was not immediately returned.

Us is owned by Wenner Media, one of the last privately held publishers, comprising Rolling Stone, Men's Journal, and Us magazines. According to reports, Us neared oblivion when Wenner relaunched the struggling celebrity monthly into a weekly in 2000, burned through some $50 million--then was rescued in 2001 when The Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS) bought a 50% stake in the magazine.

Britney Spears filed a $20 million libel lawsuit Monday against celebrity magazine Us Weekly, charging it published a false story reporting she and her husband, Kevin Federline, made a sex tape and were worried about its release.

The lawsuit seeks $10 million in libel damages and $10 million for misappropriating Spears' name and image to promote sales. It also seeks unspecified punitive damages.

A telephone call made after business hours Monday to the magazine's Los Angeles office was not immediately returned.

According to the lawsuit, the article was published Oct. 17 in the magazine's "Hot Stuff" column and claimed that Spears and her husband feared the release of a secret sex tape, which they had viewed with their estate planning lawyers.

The article stated that Spears gave a copy of the tape to the lawyers on Sept. 30 and that she and her husband were "acting goofy the whole time" while watching the video.

"There was no laughter, disgust or goofy behavior while watching the video in the company of lawyers because they did not watch any video, and because there is no such video," the lawsuit stated.

According to the lawsuit, Spears went to court after Us Weekly refused her request for a retraction, saying it stood by the story.

Spears and Us Weekly also tangled in February after the magazine published pictures of her October honeymoon in the Fiji Islands.

She issued a statement criticizing the magazine for publishing photos taken by resort staff members. Us Weekly responded with its own statement saying Spears had sold pictures of her wedding and stepdaughter to publications.

"Could it be that Britney is seeing red after not seeing the green from these photos?" Us Weekly asked. "Britney Spears should start a magazine if she'd like to dictate her own coverage."

Original pictures for early Disney animation films found 

Cox, Arquette sign TV production deal at Disney 

Roger Corman joins Disney in DVD pact 

ABC Wins Overnight Ratings 

Disney's marketing menagerie 

ESPN has big plans for its return to NASCAR coverage starting in '07 

Big U.S. brands cashing in on retro craze 

'Lost' Actress Complains About Arrest 

ABC Daytime Supports Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids With An All-Star Broadway Extravaganza 

TCL joins Disney to tap cartoon-image electronic market 

Emmy Award-Winner Cady Mcclain Returns To "All My Children" 

Sadly, the new 'Nightline' is a failure 

The Premiere Event 'If Only' Sunday, January 15th On ABC Family 

Religious Services at Walt Disney World on Christmas 

Kodak, REAL D Ink 3-D Systems In Australia

Original pictures for early Disney animation films found

 

Original pictures for early Walt Disney animation films, including "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty," have been found stored in a warehouse in Chiba University, the university said Monday.

The some 250 items consist of celluloid and background pictures that were used to make animation films as well as sketches for the films. The pictures were donated by Walt Disney Co. of the United States to the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, after they were exhibited at some department stores in Japan around 1960.

Cox, Arquette sign TV production deal at Disney

Courteney Cox and David Arquette have signed a first-look deal with Disney's Touchstone Television for their Coquette Prods. banner.

Under the two-year pact, which took effect retroactively November 1, Touchstone TV will have first crack at Coquette's development.

Coquette first partnered with Touchstone TV this past development season to co-produce UPN's comedy pilot "Talkshow Diaries," starring Nancy Travis.

Cox and Arquette come to Touchstone Television from Warner Bros. Television, where Coquette had a first-look deal since its launch in 2004.

Under that deal, the husband-and-wife duo developed and are executive producing "Dirt," a comedy from writer Matthew Carnahan, recently picked up by FX to pilot. WBTV has opted not to produce the project, and there is a possibility for Touchstone TV to come in as producer.

Additionally, Coquette and WBTV have a comedy in development at Disney's ABC. Arquette is attached to star in the show.

On the unscripted side, Cox and Arquette executive produce TBS' comedy reality series "Daisy Does America."

Roger Corman joins Disney in DVD pact

 

For better or worse, Roger Corman has been one of the true mavericks of American independent movies, which makes Corman's new affiliation with Disney-based behemoth Buena Vista Home Entertainment a minor surprise.

"We've always had our own home video company and in the last couple of years, we've seen the majors start to dominate," explained Corman. "On the old basis of 'You can't beat 'em, join 'em,' we thought we would go with a major."

Corman emphasizes that Disney's bid for the Concorde- New Horizons catalog wasn't the highest, but that the company made the best pitch for handling the material. In coming months, Buena Vista will be gradually disseminating parts of Corman's vast 400-film library, along with newer releases that have never been seen on DVD. The process began last week, when "Rock 'n' Roll High School," "Death Race 2000" and "Big Bad Mama" hit shelves in special editions along with the self-explanatory 2004 Costas Mandylor opus "DinoCroc."

"I thought it was going to be a daunting chore," Corman says of contributing to DVD bonus features. "I thought 'I really don't want to sit in a room day after day.' Luckily they didn't all get bunched together. ... And we just started talking and laughing and it ended up being sort of a reunion."

ABC Wins Overnight Ratings

ABC won the Nielsen overnight ratings for the night of Sunday, Dec. 19, with 5.8 rating/9 share in households with the Wonderful World of Disney presentation One Upon a Mattress, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy.

CBS was second for the night with a 9.1/14 for 60 Minutes, Cold Case and its holiday movie Christmas Blessing, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Rebecca Gayhart.

Third for the night was NBC with a 4.4/7 for Dateline, the news special Tom Brokaw: To War and Back, and a broadcast of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Fox came in fourth with a 5.5/9 for The OT (preempted by an NFL runover), The Simpsons, The War at Home, Family Guy and American Dad. It switched to local programming at 10 p.m.

The WB came in fifth place with American Girl Holiday and a showing of The Wizard of Oz.

Programming on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox was preempted from 9 to 9:30 p.m. by an Oval Office speech from President Bush.

Disney's marketing menagerie

 

THINK, THINK, THINK. Even a Bear of Very Little Brain could work out why Disney is replacing Christopher Robin after 80 years in Hundred Acre Wood with a "tomboyish" six-year-old girl. She may defile A.A. Milne's literary creation, but with all that hunny to be made from merchandising, why should a childhood classic escape a shareholder-pleasing corporate makeover?

There is nothing new in Disney exploiting children's imaginations in its quest to create ever younger consumers. Walt sold the rights to put Mickey Mouse on school writing pads in 1929; the Mickey Mouse Club followed a year later. In management speak, it was vertically integrated synergy: use the cartoons to push merchandise and theme parks, use merchandise and theme parks to flog the movies. As Walt's brother Roy put it: "The sale of a doll to any member of a household is a daily advertisement in that household for our cartoons and keeps them all 'Mickey Mouse Minded'."

Trouble is, the financial stakes are now so high for the Mousehouse that children's everyday lives are being bombarded by its inescapable promotional messages. From broadcast channels to burger bars, churches to classrooms, Disney is targeting the under-10s ever more shamelessly as malleable consumers. Since Pooh Bear was rebranded in 1966 as the American-accented, T-shirted plushie demanded by toy stores ("a complete travesty", lamented his illustrator, Ernest Shepard), Disney's "key pre-school property" is now worth up to $5 billion a year, thanks to everything from Pooh branded waffle irons to "Roo Juice".

Lord knows what C.S. Lewis would make of Narnia, now transformed by Disney's curse into a marketing extravaganza. The company's former boss, Mike Eisner, once said: "We have no obligation to make art. To make money is our only objective." So why wouldn't Disney squeeze every penny from The Chronicles of Narnia? Disney's genius has been to take its brand to magical lands far beyond conventional advertising via the various Disney channels, cereals and comics. This time Christ himself (in the guise of Aslan the lion) has been co-opted to tap into little minds.

Even the clergy have bought into Disney's "faith and family outreach campaign" and have screened the film in churches and Sunday schools. In an attempt to emulate the church-based campaign that boosted Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, two Christian marketing companies have been hired to promote sermons designed to push the film's "spiritual" values; the children's department of the Methodist Church has even developed an entire Narnia-themed service, with images provided by the film's distributors.

Schools are particularly important in the marketing drive. Even before the studio began working on the script executives were consulting teachers about how to work the plot into lessons. Every elementary and middle school in America has been blitzed with Narnia teaching guides about "an epic film set in a breathtaking world", and libraries have received donations of new paperbacks. Oh, and then there are the displays in shopping malls of McDonald's Narnia Happy Meals, the promotions on everything from Oral B toothbrushes to Quilted Northern toilet paper . . .

Surely, if C.S. Lewis's intention with Narnia was to stimulate children's spiritual development, he would not have supported the commercialization of schools and churches like this. Nor should clergy and teachers, however well-intentioned, allow themselves to be used to boost the fortunes of Narnia "marketing partners" such as Unilever and General Mills.

You heathen, the Disney PR machine will doubtless reply: our agenda is simply to delight hundreds of millions of children, harmlessly purveying the wholesome, uplifting values of community decency. To which the Christian response would be: no, what you're really doing is flogging, among other things, high-fat, high-sugar burgers and cereals on the back of a film. If manipulating children to pester their parents for junk is the "family magic" to which Disney aspires, then put this parent back in the wardrobe.

The truly brilliant part of Disney's plan is its ability to bypass parental concerns altogether by targeting children when they are beyond the adults' reach. Mum and dad might conscientiously monitor junior's exposure to television advertising, but online he is far less likely to be supervised. So Disney is exploiting its trusted reputation to serve up "advergames" — immersive games that have inbuilt marketing messages. At its online Virtual Magic Kingdom, for instance, children are invited to "chat, play and trade with friends" for free while learning all about the benefits of persuading parents to take them to a Disney theme park or resort — neatly blurring the line between advertising and entertainment.

True, that leaves those inconvenient slivers of a child's day when he is off-line, insulated from television and magazine advertisements, unreachable even by a Narnia-preaching vicar.

Thoughtfully, Disney is addressing those lost sales opportunities too. Next year the company intends to launch a mobile-phone service targeted at children as young as eight — a perfect way to sell those branded ring tones and logos. It also plans its own portable music and video player which, according to a patent application, might be replenished once its young owner had paid sufficient visits to McDonald's.

All our dreams can come true, Walt Disney once said, if we have the courage to pursue them. But need his successors' dreams commercialize childhood quite so brutally?

ESPN has big plans for its return to NASCAR coverage starting in '07

The ESPN Christmas party the other night was a bit merrier than usual, according to executive John Wildhack.

That's because of an upcoming reunion of ESPN and NASCAR.

"I've been around here a long time," said Wildhack, ESPN's senior vice president for programming acquisitions and strategy. "I don't remember too many days or too many deals that generated this type of excitement across the entire network as did last week's announcement."

The announcement was that ESPN and Disney Media Networks sibling ABC Sports would end a six-year separation from NASCAR.

Beginning in 2007, ABC/ESPN will broadcast the final 17 Nextel Cup series races of the season. That would include all Chase for the Nextel Cup races, including the event at Kansas Speedway.

The company will also broadcast the Busch Series over the life of the eight-year deal.

"We are very well positioned to further grow NASCAR," said George Bodenheimer, ESPN and ABC Sports president and co-chairman of Disney.

The Disney group will share NASCAR coverage with Fox, Turner Sports and the Speed Channel — all of which are included in the current deal that was struck in 2001 and continues through next season.

NBC will be on the outside when the new, $4.5 billion deal takes effect. The people at ESPN/ABC know how that feels.

Even though the sport was surging in terms of popularity five years ago, ESPN/ABC opted not to plunge into a deal whose $2.8 billion price tag was considered by some to be excessive.

Yet Wildhack says the decision not to renew was a tough one. His company's relationship with NASCAR had been long and beneficial.

But, he said, ESPN did what it had to do.

"At that time, as we looked at the decisions we had to make as a company, we made the decision not to renew NASCAR," Wildhack said. "And at that particular time, it was the right decision."

In the five years since, ESPN has continued to report on the sport and has followed its growth.

It became clear to the folks at Disney that their role would have to change.

"Clearly, one of the goals we had at the beginning of 2005 was to try to get back together with NASCAR," Wildhack said.

Last week, ABC/ESPN was welcomed "home" to NASCAR.

Over the last five years, the NASCAR landscape has changed dramatically. It has almost completely shed its perception of being a regional sport and now claims a national following.

ESPN couldn't afford to miss out on it.

"The sport continues to surge in popularity," Wildhack said. "You're seeing tracks open up across the country, whether it's in your Kansas City or Chicago, California, etc. It resonates with advertisers and sponsors."

Wildhack said that one of his company's goals for 2007 is to make viewers notice a difference in coverage — for the better.

To do that, ABC/ESPN will utilize all of its "platforms" when it comes to NASCAR.

Those platforms include its various broadcast entities — ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN News on cable and ABC over the airwaves.

All will be involved with live race-day programming, as well has things such as reality programming.

Look for NASCAR to have "a continuous, seven-day presence" on ESPN's family of broadcast affiliations, Wildhack said.

ESPN is also heavily involved in multimedia, meaning its coverage is not confined to television.

Among resources at its disposal are its weekly magazine, a Web site and Internet broadband capabilities. All of those resources can put fans in contact with news, statistics and features.

All of that appealed to NASCAR.

"As we charted the course and wanted to see how do we maintain the kind of growth we've had over the last several years for the next eight," said Dick Glover, NASCAR vice president for broadcast and new media, "one of the things which was very important was to be able to provide opportunities for the telecasters to do more than just show a race."

Wildhack said much of his company's precise plan has yet to be developed. But Wildhack said that viewers can expect that ABC/ESPN will emphasize innovation.

One of the innovations apparently will not be use of a split-screen format during commercials. ABC/ESPN used this technique in Indy Racing League broadcasts.

Wildhack said his network will do its best to tell the complete story of the race and racers. But, he said, "We're also working for our advertisers and provide them the value they covet by being associated with our coverage as well."

ESPN could face the problem of overexposure with its lofty plans for NASCAR. But Wildhack said he is confident that his company will strike the right balance when it comes to NASCAR.

"There is an insatiable thirst among the NASCAR fans," he said. "Really, our objective is to serve those fans, to do so in the best extent possible so they will come back. NASCAR has a tremendous fan base, a loyal fan base and we are going to serve them."

Big U.S. brands cashing in on retro craze

Everything old is new again for many of the best known U.S. brands.

From Walt Disney Co. to Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc. to Burger King Corp., corporations are resurrecting decades-old mascots, logos and slogans in a bid to cash in on consumer nostalgia for the "good old days" and the craze for anything classic, vintage or retro.

"People like to bring back the old stuff," said Jack Trout, president of marketing strategy firm Trout & Partners. "These are all classic brands so they have a history ... it is sort of reintroducing the brand to a new generation, using the old symbols."

In the last year alone, Anheuser-Busch launched a series of retro Budweiser cans, Yum Brands Inc. unit KFC revitalized the name "Kentucky Fried Chicken," and General Mills Inc. brought back the Jolly Green Giant from a decade-long hibernation.

Kellogg Co. put vintage packaging designs on a new line of cereal bowls, Peanuts characters like Snoopy and Charlie Brown turned up on high-end T-shirts, and McDonald's Corp. will launch a vintage-inspired clothing line for young adults next year featuring the chain's old advertising themes and characters.

Playboy Enterprises Inc. has tapped into the swinging history of its adult magazine by putting retro images of its bunny logo on items from clothing to martini shakers. In Britain, a photo exhibit of Playboy images from the past 50 years is also tied in with luxury department store Harvey Nichols, which will sell T-shirts featuring vintage Playboy magazine covers.

Classic images of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters have also undergone a renaissance after the company in 2003 struck a deal to sell retro-Mickey T-shirts and other clothing at the Los Angeles celebrity shopping haven Fred Segal.

RETRO-MICKEY

Since then, couture designers like Dolce & Gabbana have also latched on to retro-Mickey, helping add $200 million to the $1 billion in sales growth of Mickey products since 2003, said Dennis Green, Disney Consumer Products' creative head.

The aim of the revitalization, Green said, is twofold.

"Number one is to get Disney and the brand and its characters cool, and the number two hope is that the mass market will jump on it," he said in an interview, adding that nearly three years after appearing at Fred Segal, retro Mickey products are now being sold at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Reinforcing a brand's history and tradition is useful, according to Trout, because it gives corporations a way to stand out from the crowd at a time when the market is being bombarded with cheaper, healthier or newfangled alternatives.

"These things stick in people's minds," Trout said. "Heritage in a category is a very powerful differentiator."

Levi Strauss & Co., where vintage details have been sewn into everything from $500 premium denim to its more modest $39 518 jeans, is banking on just that.

"You see a lot of people coming to brands like ours for nostalgic reasons, for simplification," said Amy Jasmer, a spokeswoman for privately held Levi. "There is so much in the market, they don't know which brand to choose."

Budweiser's limited edition series of three retro cans and one bottle served a similar purpose.

"It reinforced the incredible heritage and quality that only Budweiser can own," Anheuser-Bush's vice president of brand management, Marlene Coulis, said in a statement.

The idea of heritage and tradition has also been key to revitalizing the sales of some struggling brands, including hamburger chain Burger King.

As part of a broad turnaround of the No. 2 burger chain, Burger King in 2004 brought back its "Have it Your Way" slogan 30 years after it debuted.

"Even though billions of dollars have been spent on other ad slogans, somehow 'Have it Your Way' continued to shine through as one of the more indelible ad campaigns we ever introduced," said Russ Klein, Burger King's chief global marketing officer.

'Lost' Actress Complains About Arrest

 

Michelle Rodriguez, a star on ABC's "Lost," complained after her arrest for drunken driving earlier this month that police were taking away her freedom.

Officers pulled Rodriguez over early on Dec. 1 after spotting her black Mercedes allegedly weaving down Pali Highway in the Honolulu-bound lanes from Kailua.

Another "Lost" star, Cynthia Watros, was arrested 15 minutes later on the same road when police saw her car also moving erratically.

Both allegedly failed sobriety tests. Rodriguez had a blood alcohol level of 0.145, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08, according to documents obtained by KITV-TV.

KITV quoted court and police documents that said Rodriguez was "very argumentative" and kept interrupting the officer who was explaining drunk driving sanctions to her.

"I don't (expletive) belong here! Why don't you just put a gun to my head and shoot me! You've already taken my freedom! You might as well take my life too!" she said, KITV reported Friday.

The officer who took Rodriguez in a police car to the Kailua substation quoted her as saying "Just take my car and I'll walk all the way to the North Shore but don't leave me in the back of this car poppie."

Rodriguez' lawyer declined comment.

The actress plays police officer Ana Lucia on the hit ABC drama series filmed in Hawaii.

ABC Daytime Supports Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids With An All-Star Broadway Extravaganza

On Monday, February 6, 2006, Susan Lucci headlines a musical celebration featuring stars from ABC's top-rated Daytime lineup, "The View," "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital," as they perform on Broadway for one night to support Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. The event will be sponsored in part by ABC Daytime, The Walt Disney Company and SOAPnet.

Among the cavalcade of stars confirmed to join Ms. Lucci on stage are Bobbie Eakes, Kelli Giddish, Jill Larson, Cady McClain, Cameron Mathison, Sydney Penny, Tonya Pinkins, Aiden Turner, Walt Willey and Jacob Young from "All My Children"; Kristen Alderson, Kathy Brier, Kassie Depaiva, Kamar de los Reyes, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Catherine Hickland, Matt Metzger and Robin Strasser from "One Life to Live," and Scott Clifton from "General Hospital." In addition the evening will include surprise appearances from additional cast members from all three Daytime dramas.

Television icon Barbara Walters, creator/executive producer and co-host of "The View," will open the evening with a tribute to BC/EFA. Meredith Vieira, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck from "The View" will also take part in the evening's festivities.

"ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS" marks the second benefit the network has produced with and in support of this organization. Last year the cast of "All My Children" celebrated the show's 35th anniversary, raising $250,000. The event will be held at The New Amsterdam Theatre on 214 West 42nd Street, current home to the Broadway smash hit "The Lion King". The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.bcefa.org for ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities.

Said Brian Frons, president, ABC Daytime: "The Walt Disney Company and ABC Television Network have a long standing commitment to community outreach. Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is a remarkable organization. With this special night on Broadway, our goal is to once again raise awareness and substantial funds helping BC/EFA help those in need." He added: "Due to the overwhelming support from our fans, we are able to give back to them, as well as the community at large."

"One of BC/EFA most successful one-night events was last year's 'All My Children' 35th Anniversary Celebration on stage at Town Hall," said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "We were sold out to the rafters; the daytime stars were great fun to work with and terrific on stage. I think we were about halfway through the post-party before we started talking about doing something together again. We are most grateful the ABC Daytime's support. This year's event, I'm certain, will be every bit as wonderful, with even more one-night-only surprises!"

TCL joins Disney to tap cartoon-image electronic market

China's electronic giant TCL Corporation and US entertainment conglomerate The Walt Disney Co announced yesterday a joint program to tap China's cartoon-image electronics market, which as yet remains unfilled, www.sina.com reported.

TCL attributed the huge potential of the market to this Sino-US cooperation.

"The domestic market for cartoon-image electronic products are in a fledgling state," TCL group's chief executive officer Yuan Xincheng said.  Estimating that "the potential demand accounts for 2 percent of the total consumer electronics market", he expected the market for 2006 would be valued at up to 12 billion yuan (US$1.5 billion).

The first group of products from the partnership will be television sets, DVD players, phones, CD players, clocks and radios in the image of classic Disney cartoon characters including Mickey Mouse, Snowwhite and Winnie the Pooh.  They will be marketed in 13 major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chongqing, the Sina report said.
Market analysts and industry insiders seem optimistic about this TCL-Disney tie-up.
"It provides a new idea to tap China's surging electronics market," said Professor Hu Zuohao of Tsinghua University's management school.

Sharing this view, vice secretary-general Wang Ning with the China Electronics Trade Association said "cartoon-image products, with higher added value, will improve manufacturers' profitability."

Emmy Award-Winner Cady Mcclain Returns To "All My Children"

Cady McClain makes a triumphant return to "All My Children" and the role she created, that of Dixie Martin, on December 23, it was announced today by Brian Frons, president, ABC Daytime.

For the first time Ms. McClain will treat her fans to a weekly blog posted exclusively on ABC.com, where she will document her return to the show, sharing her thoughts and interactions from the set. An online streaming video component is also being planned to enhance the fan experience.

"Dixie Martin is such a beloved character, with deep ties to our present storylines, and fans have long awaited her return to Pine Valley. I am delighted that Cady will be reprising the role she made famous, and we can look forward to the mysterious events surrounding Dixie's homecoming," said Mr. Frons in making the announcement. "Cady agreeing to document her behind-the-scenes experiences on the set via a weekly blog not only enhances the viewing experience for the audience but demonstrates her commitment to the fans and 'All My Children,'" he concluded.

"I am thrilled to be returning to a show where I have such a long and beautiful history. It is an especially excellent cast, and I am looking forward to working with some new and very talented actors, as well as revisiting with some dear old friends. I hope the audience will enjoy the incredibly thrilling storyline Megan McTavish has created as much as I am going to enjoy playing it. Brian Frons and Julie Hanan Carruthers have been exceptionally welcoming, and I am excited about the innovative technologies that are allowing for the audience to get more involved. It's going to be a great 2006," said Ms. McClain.

Ms. McClain's initial tenure on the show was from 1988-1996, when she won her first Daytime Emmy Award. She later returned to the show in 1998-2002, and then joined the cast of "As the World Turns" as Rosanna Cabot, which garnered her a second Daytime Emmy. She also received Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1991 and 1999.

No stranger to television audiences, Ms. McClain's extensive credits include "Law & Order SVU," "A Father's Homecoming," "Home Fires," "Who Will Love My Children?," "St. Elsewhere," "Spencer: For Hire," "Cheers," "One Big Family" and "Lou Grant."

Her award-winning independent film credits include: "Alma Mater," which premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival in 2002 and was nominated for the Golden Starfish Award (the film also won the Audience Award for Best Film at the Austin Film Festival); "Retreat," which won the 2004 Wood's Hole Film Festival, as well as the Telluride Indiefest; and she recently completed shooting "Soldier's Heart." Additional film credits include "My Favorite Year," where she played Peter O'Toole's daughter, Tess, and "Pennies from Heaven."

On stage Ms. McClain has appeared in David Ives' "The Red Address" at the second stage, opposite Kevin Anderson, which garnered excellent reviews, including from The New York Times. Additional credits include "The Comedy of Errors," as Adriana, "Much Ado About Nothing," as Hero, at Lincoln Center, "Barefoot in the Park," as Cory, and "Quiet on the Set," as Tamara/Bridget. She also wrote, produced and co-directed a surrealist one-woman piece, "Mona7," and performed in "Inventions of Farewell," another one-woman piece, compiled from Wallace Stevens' poetry.

"All My Children" celebrated its 35th Anniversary on January 5, 2005. The program has successfully maintained its popularity and continues to be one of daytime's most compelling dramas. "All My Children" took home the 1998 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, the third time the show received this top honor, having also garnered the award in 1994 and 1992. In 2004 the show also received its third consecutive Emmy® Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Writing, its third Writers Guild Award and its third GLAAD Media Award in April of 2004.

Created by Agnes Nixon, "All My Children" premiered on the ABC Television Network on January 5, 1970, as a half-hour show; seven years later it expanded to an hour. Julie Hanan Carruthers is executive producer, Megan McTavish is head writer with Conal O'Brien, Casey Childs and Angela Tessinari directing. "All My Children" is produced in New York and airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Sadly, the new 'Nightline' is a failure

ABC, which is owned by Walt Disney Co. DIS Walt Disney Company (The) (Holding Company) has gotten its wish with the revamped "Nightline," which had its debut a few weeks ago. It is, indeed, fast-moving, lively and provocative -- but then so are most rock videos.

So far, the new "Nightline" strikes me as being something else, too. It's practically unwatchable at times.

Granted, it's illogical, if not downright unfair, to expect a new program to measure up to its predecessor this early in the game.

But sadly, it doesn't even come close. That's too bad. It would have been nice to have a legitimate alternative to the procession of happy-talk celebrities on Letterman and Leno at that hour.

"Nightline Jr." loses me because so many of its segments have a jarring, end-of-the-world tone. The show would grab me if its chief goal was to tell fascinating stories -- as Koppel's version did -- and let them resonate on their own merits. But to make it on TV nowadays, a show has to hype its findings and claim to have Deep Meaning (whether its segments really do or not).

Thursday night's report on global warming, for instance, impressed me, but I would've appreciated it even more if it hadn't lurched into a gloom-and-doom strain.

The new hosts -- Terry Moran, Cynthia McFadden and Martin Bashir -- are seasoned journalists and they have compelling stories to tell. But they try too hard on most broadcasts to stress that This Show Is Serious, folks.

Nor is this "Nightline" hardly first with the news. Its segment on military wife-turned-author Sarah Smiley was well presented. Unfortunately, I'd already seen her profiled on CNN.

The new "Nightline" is capable of strong work. McFadden's interview with attorney Alan Dershowitz, addressing the accusations that the American military tortured prisoners of war, was well-paced. Playing to McFadden's legal knowledge -- she's a trained attorney, after all -- the segment was the best report I've seen yet on this "Nightline."

Pedigree problem

If this "Nightline" had appeared out of nowhere, with a different name and no pedigree hanging over its head, it might garner some polite reviews. Critics would probably dismiss it as being disjointed and aimless but well intentioned -- a symbol of what television news shows might yet become.

But all bets are off when your show is the successor to Koppel's "Nightline," one of the most durable and consistently excellent programs in TV history. It's reminiscent when greedy CBS created a second installment of "60 Minutes" to air during the week.

The pressure on the show to extend the brand name of the established program became so great that it invariably sensationalized many segments, including the disastrous one on President Bush's National Guard duty.

One more thing about the weekday version of "60 Minutes." Its 15 minutes of fame is up. The show went off the air.

Is there any doubt that "Nightline Jr." is destined to share the same cruel fate?

Probably not.

Bashir

For me, the nagging question is why does ABC think Bashir is qualified to sit in Koppel's seat -- even one-third of it?

Bashir's claim to fame in the U.S. was his interview with Michael Jackson a few years ago. It reeked of sensationalism (which, considering Jackson's nutty persona, was no surprise). The interview was like a pile-up on the highway. You desperately want to turn your head away but you just can't.

As the Washington Post's Tom Shales wrote last week of Bashir, he "might as well be from south Pluto. He is jarringly incompatible with his colleagues, and he slows the program with the old-fashioned formality of his questioning. He also manages to combine solemn pretentiousness with a hefty trace of the tabloid."

In other words, Bashir is perfect for this show. The brain trust of the second "Nightline" has created an atmosphere that's long on shrill and woefully short on thoughtful. At its worst, the new "Nightline" seems to be more modeled after MTV than "60 Minutes."

To that, I can picture those ABC suits nodding their heads and declaring, "Exactly!"

Let's face it. Like CBS and NBC, ABC salivates after MTV's demographic group.

The Premiere Event 'If Only' Sunday, January 15th On ABC Family

ABC Family will air the premiere event movie IF ONLY, Sunday, January 15 (7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT). IF ONLY is the romantic story of one man's second chance to save the love of his life. The film stars Jennifer Love Hewitt ("Ghost Whisperer"), Paul Nicholls ("Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason") and Tom Wilkinson ("Batman Begins").

Samantha Andrews (Hewitt), an impulsive and free-spirited violin student, is in love with her English boyfriend Ian Wyndham (Nicholls), a sensible young business executive. Ian's in love with Sam but he either can't or doesn't know how to tell her the extent of his feelings, but to Sam it seems that Ian's only love is his job. After receiving some sage advice from an all knowing taxi driver (Wilkinson) Ian half-heartedly tries to tell Sam how he feels over a romantic dinner. Distraught over the state of their relationship, Sam abandons Ian at restaurant and her taxi is tragically hit by an oncoming car. Ian is devastated by the loss of Sam and can only think "if only" he had handled things differently. The next morning Ian is shocked to find out that he has a second chance to relive that day and possibly change the outcome. Can Ian show Sam how he truly feels before it's too late or will he loose her again?

IF ONLY is directed by Gil Junger and written by Christina Welsh. Moritz Borman, Gub Neal and Basil Iwanyk act as executive producers with co-executive producer Jeffrey Graup. The film is produced by Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jill Gilbert, Gil Junger, Bobby Newmyer and Jeffrey Silver.

Religious Services at Walt Disney World on Christmas

Religious Services will be held on Christmas Day, December 25, in the Fantasia Ballroom of Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Catholic Mass will be at 8:00a.m. and 10:15a.m.
Protestant Service will be at 9:00 a.m.

Kodak, REAL D Ink 3-D Systems In Australia

Los Angeles-based REAL D said over the weekend that it has inked a deal with Kodak Digital Cinema to roll out digital 3-D cinema in Australia. The two companies are working together to roll out 3-D cinema systems in conjunction with Disney's Chicken Little premiere in the country in January. REAL D has been providing 3D technology for Chicken Little in the United States since early November. Kodak will provider projectors and software for the 3-D systems, as well as service and support.

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights 

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney 

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade 

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005 

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive 

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter 

The top movies at the North American box office12/18 

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights

 

When your holiday decor is larger than life, it's hard to stay low to the ground. The Jennings Osborne family of Arkansas, which moved its renowned residential light display to Disney-MGM Studios in 1995, is known for flashy designs that use hundreds of thousands of lights and reach heights of 100 feet or more.

Besides decorating almost 20 sites in Arkansas, the family's holiday projects include an enormous display at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.

Though an Osborne employee last year fell from a roof and broke his arm, this year's installations were injury-free, says Paul Young, 25, Osborne's son-in-law. During particularly precarious work, the crew wears both safety harnesses and safety belts.

That's not to say there aren't harrowing moments. When no one in the crew wanted to work atop a 115-foot Christmas tree at Graceland this year, the task fell to Young. He was lifted by a crane to the tree's top, where he hooked up 100-foot strands of lights.

"I'm a pilot, and I never thought I was scared of heights," he says. "It was like standing on the head of a pin 115 feet in the air. It got my attention."

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney

Staff at Euro Disney's troubled theme park east of Paris will go without their Christmas bonuses for the first time since the attraction opened in 1992 in a move branded an "affront" by several unions.

Blaming poor results, management has cut the 100-euro (120-dollar) gross handout to between 7,000 and 7,500 employees, CFDT union delegate David Charpentier told AFP.

Three unions are circulating a petition which has already been signed by "several thousand workers to tell management of their indignation at this affront," according to a CFDT statement Saturday.

The petition will be presented to management on Monday.

"While for months Euro Disney staff have been subjected to a corporate and operational policy which is as unjust as it is inefficient, due to budgetary constraints, increasing understaffing and a range of pressures, the management of the company has now gone even further: it is cutting the modest end-of-year bonus of 100 euros except for management," the CFDT complains.

Euro Disney countered that it "never paid end of year bonuses".

"It is an 'exceptional bonus' which allows management not to pay welfare contributions linked to classic end-of-year bonuses," agrees Charpentier.

"But in fact, it's the first time since the opening of the park in 1992 that the staff will not get their end-of-year bonus."

According to his union, the company "intends to preserve the bonuses paid to management staff amounting to over three million euros".

The management denies this, saying: "These 'bonuses' for managers are part of their salary package".

The park, which changed its name to the more popular Disneyland Paris in 1994, currently employs over 10,500 staff at the Marne-la-Vallee site.

In November operator Euro Disney announced a 35-percent cut in net losses for the previous nine-month period and said investors would have a better ride next year.

The debt-ridden group has had to restructure its finances twice since being launched in the early 1990s and completed a 253.3-million-euro capital increase in February to avert a risk of insolvency.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida invites America to celebrate its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade telecast from the heart of Magic Kingdom, with special performances from Disneyland Resort in California. America's favorite television and radio personality, Ryan Seacrest, will host the festivities from Disneyland Resort while America's hottest morning talk show duo, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of Live with Regis and Kelly, co-host in Walt Disney World Resort.

For more than two decades, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade has been a family tradition featuring Disney's most cherished characters including: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pinocchio, Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine, as well as the Disney Channel's favorite Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House; Stanley; Little Einsteins; The Wiggles; JoJo's Circus and others.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade telecast airs on ABC Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to noon (EST), 9 to 11 a.m. (CST), 8 to 10 a.m. (MST) and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (PST). Viewers should check their local listings for any changes in programming times.

Star-Studded Guest List

In addition to featuring charismatic hosts on both coasts and the Brian Setzer Orchestra headlining the show from Walt Disney World Resort, the two-hour parade special will highlight a variety of celebrity appearances and musical performances including: country superstar band Lonestar; acclaimed model, actress and singer Vanessa Williams; The View's Star Jones; Mary Poppins' Julie Andrews; golf champion Tiger Woods; Grammy® award-winning jazz vocalist Diana Krall; R&B singing sensation Fantasia; award-winning actor John O'Hurley, best known for his appearance on ABC's hit show Dancing With The Stars; sister songstresses Aly and AJ; tween pop group The Cheetah Girls; and young stars of Disney's newest movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and William Moseley.

A Disney Family Tradition

In addition to the parade's impressive list of performers, the 22nd annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will feature fanciful pageantry from Disney's globally renowned theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. At the heart of the show, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade takes center stage, with Disney favorites making their way down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. 

Walt Disney World Resort presents

Brian Setzer and his 18-piece band performing his rockin' big band version of "Jingle Bells"
Latin recording artist Paulina Rubio singing "Joy to the World" at Cinderella Castle
Christmas Tree float with Mickey and Minnie
Villains Car with Yzma, Kronk and Cruella
"Cinderellabration" at Cinderella Castle
Ice Pond float with Donald and Daisy
Princess Carriages carrying Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora with princes
Performance of Beauty and the Beast starring John O'Hurley singing "Be Our Guest" at Cinderella Castle
Power Rangers Car featuring the Power Rangers
U.S. Military Processional with remarks from President George W. Bush
Toy Factory float featuring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bullseye, toy soldiers and green army men
Bakeshop Factory float carrying Mrs. Claus, gingerbread men, elves and maids
Herbie from the Disney-MGM Studios "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" attraction
Candy House float
Sister act Aly & AJ will perform a song from the "Jingle Jams" CD
The Cheetah Girls to perform a song from their "Cheetah-licious Christmas" CD
Greetings from Tiger Woods plus others to follow
Cirque du Soleil will perform a living Christmas card spectacular

Disneyland Resort in California presents

Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams highlights the 50th anniversary of Disneyland with spectacular musical numbers featuring one of the largest casts of Disney characters ever assembled
A Christmas Fantasy Parade featuring Goofy, Chip n' Dale, the Seven Dwarfs, Rudolph and reindeer friends, plus Stitch as Santa in fun-filled Yuletide vignettes on Main Street, U.S.A.

Other Disneyland highlights include:

Space Mountain, America's favorite Disney theme park adventure, has recently been re-Imagineered for the 21st century
Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! a sneak peek at the newest attraction to open in Disney's California Adventure as part of the 50th anniversary celebration
A Float Fit for a Princess featuring special performances in the shadows of Sleeping Beauty Castle, which has been transformed into a "Crown Jewel" for the park's 50th anniversary

Disney's Final Christmas Wish

Both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will give a very special Christmas closing with performances of "Joy to the World" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." To celebrate Disney's milestone year and for the first time in the parade's history, the show will expand its final number to create an unprecedented moment including all of the parks around the world. The finale will feature an international choir with Disney theme park cast members from Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong joining in for Disney's final Christmas wish.

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom guests can count down to 2006 with double the parades and fireworks, with the "SpectroMagic" parade at 7 and 10:30 p.m., and festive firework shows at 8:30 and 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Epcot

Epcot's New Year's Eve Countdown Spectacular offers exciting entertainment for those who want to bring in the New Year with a bang. The party includes the Tom Butler Orchestra playing big band and swing music in the Grand Ballroom at World Showplace, Latin dancing at American Gardens Theatre, Euro music in Italy, a DJ spinning techno-rock music in China, DJ Scooter at Future World Fountain Stage, and two special showings of "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.) with a New Year's countdown and an "Auld Lang Syne" finale to the late performance at World Showcase Lagoon. The fun is included with regular Epcot admission. Park hours are from 8 a.m.-1 a.m. in Future World and from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. in World Showcase.

Disney-MGM Studios

At Disney-MGM Studios, high-energy rock group Mulch, Sweat & Shears will entertain guests at the Sorcerer Hat Stage. Also at the Sorcerer Hat, DJ Charles Miles is set to keep the crowd pumped with a variety of energized music spanning the decades. The party escalates as guests countdown to the magic hour with "Lights, Camera, Fireworks!" -- a fireworks spectacular featuring great music from classic movies. Complimentary hats and horns will be distributed (while supplies last). The park is open from 8 a.m.-midnight and the New Year's Eve entertainment is included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island ushers in the New Year with pizzazz, hosting its annual, island-wide street party. The special-ticket event features live performances by music artists Smash Mouth, S.O.S. Band and Paul Jackson Jr. A midnight fireworks spectacular lights the sky and the New Year is ushered in with a champagne toast. The party is for revelers 21 and older and takes place from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $89 plus tax, and includes entry to all Pleasure Island nightclubs. For more information or to order tickets, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY.

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive

The ultimate symbol of centuries of Russian power, the Kremlin, was taken over at the weekend by Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella and hundreds of excited Russian children as Disney came to town.

Russian guards in dark woolen coats and fur hats looked on as crowds packed the Kremlin for a "Cinderella Ball" thrown by the Walt Disney Co. as part of its campaign to expand into Russia's booming entertainment market.

"The Russians are hungry for entertainment, and that's why we're here," said Rob Jongmans, executive vice president and managing director of Walt Disney International for northern, central and eastern Europe.

"We are surprised by the popularity of the Disney brands here only 15 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain," Jongmans told Reuters. "Look at these kids and their dresses. Even the boys are in prince costumes. I've never seen anything like it."

Outside, the Kremlin's golden domes and red stars shimmering under a gentle snowfall themselves looked part of a Disney fairy tale. But inside the Kremlin ballroom hosting the party, the scene was enough to make Lenin spin in his Red Square tomb nearby.

At the ballroom of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, a concrete and marble triumph of Soviet 1960s architecture, girls accompanied by mothers in designerwear sat at Disney beauty stands, having their hair sprayed with sparkles and adorned with Cinderella tiaras.

On the parquet dance floor a colorful mix of Disney characters danced with children in prince and princess outfits.

Champagne flowed for parents while children were served from tables piled high with pink cakes and candies served on glass stands -- all for free.

Jongmans said the event, attended by some 2,000 people, cost up to $1 million.

Disney characters -- which have generated some $3 billion in worldwide consumer retail sales since 2000 -- are familiar in the West. But they are relatively new in Russia, which discouraged them under 70 years of Soviet rule.

Disney has achieved massive revenues from character and brand licensing as well as lucrative merchandising to extend its brands. Now, it is seeking to make a business out of entertaining 150 million Russians.

Jongmans said Russia's entertainment market was the fastest growing in the world. "We think Russia will overtake China in the next five years," he said.

A recent report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers said Russia's entertainment and media market is the fastest growing in Europe, surging 27.4 percent last year. That compares to flat growth in most Western developed countries.

The Russian market including film, video, Internet products, print media, sporting events and theme parks hit $12.45 billion last year, PwC said in a study of global entertainment industry.

That is just a fraction of the global $1.3 trillion market but growing fast, driven by the film and advertising industries and fueled by higher disposable incomes on booming oil prices.

Jongmans said Walt Disney saw big opportunity in local entertainment and productions with a Russian cast.

"We shall look at the retail market too," he said. "The Russians are family-oriented and have a lot of spending power. We think this market is a sleeping giant."

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter

ABC News will appeal a ruling by a British employment panel that found the network unfairly dismissed a London-based freelancer because he refused an assignment to Iraq.

Richard Gizbert, a longtime war correspondent, claimed he had been sacked because he refused an assignment to Iraq. The 48-year-old Canadian had covered wars in Bosnia, Somalia and Chechnya for ABC News beginning in the early 1990s. But he didn't want to after he had children.

Last year, the network declined to renew his contract. ABC News said it made the decision for strictly financial reasons and not for his refusal. But the panel disagreed, saying that ABC News' testimony during the case was inconsistent. Gizbert is seeking $4 million in damages.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said Friday that the network planned to appeal the decision. He also rejected Gizbert's contention that he had been penalized for his desire not to go to Iraq.

"We have a long-standing policy that the assignments to war zones or other dangerous places are completely voluntary," Schneider said. "And that is understood by everyone who works here."

He said that Gizbert's contract was not renewed during a time of cutbacks at ABC News, including the London bureau out of which Gizbert worked.

"Some of these people (cut) went to war zones, some of them didn't go," Schneider said.

The case is thought to mark the first sign that British health and safety legislation has been used by journalists covering war zones.

The top movies at the North American box office 12/18

Following are the top 10 movies at the North American box office during the Dec. 16-18 weekend, led by new release "King Kong," according to studio estimates collected on Sunday by Reuters. Final data will be issued on Monday.

1 (*) King Kong ........... $ 50.1 million

2 (1) The Chronicles of Narnia ........... $ 31.2 million

3 (*) The Family Stone .... $ 12.7 million

4 (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire $ 5.9 million

5 (2) Syriana ............. $ 5.5 million

6 (4) Walk the Line ....... $ 3.6 million

7 (5) Yours, Mine & Ours .. $ 3.4 million

8(15) Brokeback Mountain .. $ 2.4 million

9 (7) Just Friends ........ $ 2.0 million

10 (6) Aeon Flux ........... $ 1.7 million

NOTE: Last weekend's ranking in parentheses (* = new release). "King Kong" opened on Wednesday, "The Family Stone" on Friday.

TOTALS TO DATE

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .. $252.5 million

The Chronicles of Narnia ............. $112.5 million

Walk the Line ......... $ 82.5 million

King Kong ............. $ 66.2 million

Yours, Mine & Ours .... $ 45.1 million

Just Friends .......... $ 29.4 million

Aeon Flux ............. $ 23.1 million

Syriana ............... $ 22.3 million

The Family Stone ...... $ 12.7 million

Brokeback Mountain .... $ 3.3 million

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

It wasn't exactly open-microphone night at the Chuckle Hut, but Democrats floated more than a few one-liners aimed at Republicans and President George W. Bush during their convention last week at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort.

We went to the convention so you didn't have to. Here are a few samples of the Donkey humor:

Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman seized on the Disney motif, saying she met many folks walking into the convention.

"We ran into the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You know: Goofy!

"Then I ran into Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff: Pinocchio!

"And even Cruella De Vil, whom I ran into when I was checking in, remarked to me that even she couldn't vote for Katherine Harris."

Howard Dean didn't scream, but he did mock President Bush's efforts to boot undocumented aliens from the country.

"I say, if the president can't find a 6-foot-4 Saudi [Osama Bin Laden], he's not going to find" -- we presume he was going to say "undocumented aliens," but he was drowned out by applause.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was the main speaker and won the audience over with this opening line as he praised the large conference room filled with party loyalists: "I feel like Katherine Harris. I can't count all the Democrats."

We were busy meeting deadlines and missed this crack from Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a millionaire who co-founded cellular phone giant Nextel. Courtesy of FL Politics blog: Warner told the crowd in his opening lines to keep their cell phones on. When he heard the rings that most find annoying, he said he heard "ca-ching."

And reporters were also the targets of at least one barb. Gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith was bemoaning the use of standardized tests when he attempted to draw an analogy to the difficult Law School Admissions Test.

"I don't know if you took the LSAT," he said to a roomful of reporters before pausing. "Well, I know you didn't."

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights 

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney 

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade 

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005 

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive 

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter 

The top movies at the North American box office12/18 

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

Osborne family remains well-grounded in dealing with the lights

 

When your holiday decor is larger than life, it's hard to stay low to the ground. The Jennings Osborne family of Arkansas, which moved its renowned residential light display to Disney-MGM Studios in 1995, is known for flashy designs that use hundreds of thousands of lights and reach heights of 100 feet or more.

Besides decorating almost 20 sites in Arkansas, the family's holiday projects include an enormous display at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.

Though an Osborne employee last year fell from a roof and broke his arm, this year's installations were injury-free, says Paul Young, 25, Osborne's son-in-law. During particularly precarious work, the crew wears both safety harnesses and safety belts.

That's not to say there aren't harrowing moments. When no one in the crew wanted to work atop a 115-foot Christmas tree at Graceland this year, the task fell to Young. He was lifted by a crane to the tree's top, where he hooked up 100-foot strands of lights.

"I'm a pilot, and I never thought I was scared of heights," he says. "It was like standing on the head of a pin 115 feet in the air. It got my attention."

Uncle Scrooge rules at Euro Disney

Staff at Euro Disney's troubled theme park east of Paris will go without their Christmas bonuses for the first time since the attraction opened in 1992 in a move branded an "affront" by several unions.

Blaming poor results, management has cut the 100-euro (120-dollar) gross handout to between 7,000 and 7,500 employees, CFDT union delegate David Charpentier told AFP.

Three unions are circulating a petition which has already been signed by "several thousand workers to tell management of their indignation at this affront," according to a CFDT statement Saturday.

The petition will be presented to management on Monday.

"While for months Euro Disney staff have been subjected to a corporate and operational policy which is as unjust as it is inefficient, due to budgetary constraints, increasing understaffing and a range of pressures, the management of the company has now gone even further: it is cutting the modest end-of-year bonus of 100 euros except for management," the CFDT complains.

Euro Disney countered that it "never paid end of year bonuses".

"It is an 'exceptional bonus' which allows management not to pay welfare contributions linked to classic end-of-year bonuses," agrees Charpentier.

"But in fact, it's the first time since the opening of the park in 1992 that the staff will not get their end-of-year bonus."

According to his union, the company "intends to preserve the bonuses paid to management staff amounting to over three million euros".

The management denies this, saying: "These 'bonuses' for managers are part of their salary package".

The park, which changed its name to the more popular Disneyland Paris in 1994, currently employs over 10,500 staff at the Marne-la-Vallee site.

In November operator Euro Disney announced a 35-percent cut in net losses for the previous nine-month period and said investors would have a better ride next year.

The debt-ridden group has had to restructure its finances twice since being launched in the early 1990s and completed a 253.3-million-euro capital increase in February to avert a risk of insolvency.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida invites America to celebrate its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade telecast from the heart of Magic Kingdom, with special performances from Disneyland Resort in California. America's favorite television and radio personality, Ryan Seacrest, will host the festivities from Disneyland Resort while America's hottest morning talk show duo, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of Live with Regis and Kelly, co-host in Walt Disney World Resort.

For more than two decades, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade has been a family tradition featuring Disney's most cherished characters including: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pinocchio, Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine, as well as the Disney Channel's favorite Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House; Stanley; Little Einsteins; The Wiggles; JoJo's Circus and others.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade telecast airs on ABC Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to noon (EST), 9 to 11 a.m. (CST), 8 to 10 a.m. (MST) and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (PST). Viewers should check their local listings for any changes in programming times.

Star-Studded Guest List

In addition to featuring charismatic hosts on both coasts and the Brian Setzer Orchestra headlining the show from Walt Disney World Resort, the two-hour parade special will highlight a variety of celebrity appearances and musical performances including: country superstar band Lonestar; acclaimed model, actress and singer Vanessa Williams; The View's Star Jones; Mary Poppins' Julie Andrews; golf champion Tiger Woods; Grammy® award-winning jazz vocalist Diana Krall; R&B singing sensation Fantasia; award-winning actor John O'Hurley, best known for his appearance on ABC's hit show Dancing With The Stars; sister songstresses Aly and AJ; tween pop group The Cheetah Girls; and young stars of Disney's newest movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and William Moseley.

A Disney Family Tradition

In addition to the parade's impressive list of performers, the 22nd annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will feature fanciful pageantry from Disney's globally renowned theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. At the heart of the show, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade takes center stage, with Disney favorites making their way down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. 

Walt Disney World Resort presents

Brian Setzer and his 18-piece band performing his rockin' big band version of "Jingle Bells"
Latin recording artist Paulina Rubio singing "Joy to the World" at Cinderella Castle
Christmas Tree float with Mickey and Minnie
Villains Car with Yzma, Kronk and Cruella
"Cinderellabration" at Cinderella Castle
Ice Pond float with Donald and Daisy
Princess Carriages carrying Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora with princes
Performance of Beauty and the Beast starring John O'Hurley singing "Be Our Guest" at Cinderella Castle
Power Rangers Car featuring the Power Rangers
U.S. Military Processional with remarks from President George W. Bush
Toy Factory float featuring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bullseye, toy soldiers and green army men
Bakeshop Factory float carrying Mrs. Claus, gingerbread men, elves and maids
Herbie from the Disney-MGM Studios "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" attraction
Candy House float
Sister act Aly & AJ will perform a song from the "Jingle Jams" CD
The Cheetah Girls to perform a song from their "Cheetah-licious Christmas" CD
Greetings from Tiger Woods plus others to follow
Cirque du Soleil will perform a living Christmas card spectacular

Disneyland Resort in California presents

Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams highlights the 50th anniversary of Disneyland with spectacular musical numbers featuring one of the largest casts of Disney characters ever assembled
A Christmas Fantasy Parade featuring Goofy, Chip n' Dale, the Seven Dwarfs, Rudolph and reindeer friends, plus Stitch as Santa in fun-filled Yuletide vignettes on Main Street, U.S.A.

Other Disneyland highlights include:

Space Mountain, America's favorite Disney theme park adventure, has recently been re-Imagineered for the 21st century
Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! a sneak peek at the newest attraction to open in Disney's California Adventure as part of the 50th anniversary celebration
A Float Fit for a Princess featuring special performances in the shadows of Sleeping Beauty Castle, which has been transformed into a "Crown Jewel" for the park's 50th anniversary

Disney's Final Christmas Wish

Both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will give a very special Christmas closing with performances of "Joy to the World" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." To celebrate Disney's milestone year and for the first time in the parade's history, the show will expand its final number to create an unprecedented moment including all of the parks around the world. The finale will feature an international choir with Disney theme park cast members from Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong joining in for Disney's final Christmas wish.

Full line-up of events at WDW for New Years Eve 2005

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom guests can count down to 2006 with double the parades and fireworks, with the "SpectroMagic" parade at 7 and 10:30 p.m., and festive firework shows at 8:30 and 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Epcot

Epcot's New Year's Eve Countdown Spectacular offers exciting entertainment for those who want to bring in the New Year with a bang. The party includes the Tom Butler Orchestra playing big band and swing music in the Grand Ballroom at World Showplace, Latin dancing at American Gardens Theatre, Euro music in Italy, a DJ spinning techno-rock music in China, DJ Scooter at Future World Fountain Stage, and two special showings of "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.) with a New Year's countdown and an "Auld Lang Syne" finale to the late performance at World Showcase Lagoon. The fun is included with regular Epcot admission. Park hours are from 8 a.m.-1 a.m. in Future World and from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. in World Showcase.

Disney-MGM Studios

At Disney-MGM Studios, high-energy rock group Mulch, Sweat & Shears will entertain guests at the Sorcerer Hat Stage. Also at the Sorcerer Hat, DJ Charles Miles is set to keep the crowd pumped with a variety of energized music spanning the decades. The party escalates as guests countdown to the magic hour with "Lights, Camera, Fireworks!" -- a fireworks spectacular featuring great music from classic movies. Complimentary hats and horns will be distributed (while supplies last). The park is open from 8 a.m.-midnight and the New Year's Eve entertainment is included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney Pleasure Island ushers in the New Year with pizzazz, hosting its annual, island-wide street party. The special-ticket event features live performances by music artists Smash Mouth, S.O.S. Band and Paul Jackson Jr. A midnight fireworks spectacular lights the sky and the New Year is ushered in with a champagne toast. The party is for revelers 21 and older and takes place from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $89 plus tax, and includes entry to all Pleasure Island nightclubs. For more information or to order tickets, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY.

Disney takes over Kremlin in Russian market drive

The ultimate symbol of centuries of Russian power, the Kremlin, was taken over at the weekend by Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella and hundreds of excited Russian children as Disney came to town.

Russian guards in dark woolen coats and fur hats looked on as crowds packed the Kremlin for a "Cinderella Ball" thrown by the Walt Disney Co. as part of its campaign to expand into Russia's booming entertainment market.

"The Russians are hungry for entertainment, and that's why we're here," said Rob Jongmans, executive vice president and managing director of Walt Disney International for northern, central and eastern Europe.

"We are surprised by the popularity of the Disney brands here only 15 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain," Jongmans told Reuters. "Look at these kids and their dresses. Even the boys are in prince costumes. I've never seen anything like it."

Outside, the Kremlin's golden domes and red stars shimmering under a gentle snowfall themselves looked part of a Disney fairy tale. But inside the Kremlin ballroom hosting the party, the scene was enough to make Lenin spin in his Red Square tomb nearby.

At the ballroom of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, a concrete and marble triumph of Soviet 1960s architecture, girls accompanied by mothers in designerwear sat at Disney beauty stands, having their hair sprayed with sparkles and adorned with Cinderella tiaras.

On the parquet dance floor a colorful mix of Disney characters danced with children in prince and princess outfits.

Champagne flowed for parents while children were served from tables piled high with pink cakes and candies served on glass stands -- all for free.

Jongmans said the event, attended by some 2,000 people, cost up to $1 million.

Disney characters -- which have generated some $3 billion in worldwide consumer retail sales since 2000 -- are familiar in the West. But they are relatively new in Russia, which discouraged them under 70 years of Soviet rule.

Disney has achieved massive revenues from character and brand licensing as well as lucrative merchandising to extend its brands. Now, it is seeking to make a business out of entertaining 150 million Russians.

Jongmans said Russia's entertainment market was the fastest growing in the world. "We think Russia will overtake China in the next five years," he said.

A recent report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers said Russia's entertainment and media market is the fastest growing in Europe, surging 27.4 percent last year. That compares to flat growth in most Western developed countries.

The Russian market including film, video, Internet products, print media, sporting events and theme parks hit $12.45 billion last year, PwC said in a study of global entertainment industry.

That is just a fraction of the global $1.3 trillion market but growing fast, driven by the film and advertising industries and fueled by higher disposable incomes on booming oil prices.

Jongmans said Walt Disney saw big opportunity in local entertainment and productions with a Russian cast.

"We shall look at the retail market too," he said. "The Russians are family-oriented and have a lot of spending power. We think this market is a sleeping giant."

ABC News to appeal ruling on dismissed reporter

ABC News will appeal a ruling by a British employment panel that found the network unfairly dismissed a London-based freelancer because he refused an assignment to Iraq.

Richard Gizbert, a longtime war correspondent, claimed he had been sacked because he refused an assignment to Iraq. The 48-year-old Canadian had covered wars in Bosnia, Somalia and Chechnya for ABC News beginning in the early 1990s. But he didn't want to after he had children.

Last year, the network declined to renew his contract. ABC News said it made the decision for strictly financial reasons and not for his refusal. But the panel disagreed, saying that ABC News' testimony during the case was inconsistent. Gizbert is seeking $4 million in damages.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said Friday that the network planned to appeal the decision. He also rejected Gizbert's contention that he had been penalized for his desire not to go to Iraq.

"We have a long-standing policy that the assignments to war zones or other dangerous places are completely voluntary," Schneider said. "And that is understood by everyone who works here."

He said that Gizbert's contract was not renewed during a time of cutbacks at ABC News, including the London bureau out of which Gizbert worked.

"Some of these people (cut) went to war zones, some of them didn't go," Schneider said.

The case is thought to mark the first sign that British health and safety legislation has been used by journalists covering war zones.

The top movies at the North American box office 12/18

Following are the top 10 movies at the North American box office during the Dec. 16-18 weekend, led by new release "King Kong," according to studio estimates collected on Sunday by Reuters. Final data will be issued on Monday.

1 (*) King Kong ........... $ 50.1 million

2 (1) The Chronicles of Narnia ........... $ 31.2 million

3 (*) The Family Stone .... $ 12.7 million

4 (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire $ 5.9 million

5 (2) Syriana ............. $ 5.5 million

6 (4) Walk the Line ....... $ 3.6 million

7 (5) Yours, Mine & Ours .. $ 3.4 million

8(15) Brokeback Mountain .. $ 2.4 million

9 (7) Just Friends ........ $ 2.0 million

10 (6) Aeon Flux ........... $ 1.7 million

NOTE: Last weekend's ranking in parentheses (* = new release). "King Kong" opened on Wednesday, "The Family Stone" on Friday.

TOTALS TO DATE

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .. $252.5 million

The Chronicles of Narnia ............. $112.5 million

Walk the Line ......... $ 82.5 million

King Kong ............. $ 66.2 million

Yours, Mine & Ours .... $ 45.1 million

Just Friends .......... $ 29.4 million

Aeon Flux ............. $ 23.1 million

Syriana ............... $ 22.3 million

The Family Stone ...... $ 12.7 million

Brokeback Mountain .... $ 3.3 million

Democrats Crack Up At Disney World

It wasn't exactly open-microphone night at the Chuckle Hut, but Democrats floated more than a few one-liners aimed at Republicans and President George W. Bush during their convention last week at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort.

We went to the convention so you didn't have to. Here are a few samples of the Donkey humor:

Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman seized on the Disney motif, saying she met many folks walking into the convention.

"We ran into the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You know: Goofy!

"Then I ran into Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff: Pinocchio!

"And even Cruella De Vil, whom I ran into when I was checking in, remarked to me that even she couldn't vote for Katherine Harris."

Howard Dean didn't scream, but he did mock President Bush's efforts to boot undocumented aliens from the country.

"I say, if the president can't find a 6-foot-4 Saudi [Osama Bin Laden], he's not going to find" -- we presume he was going to say "undocumented aliens," but he was drowned out by applause.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was the main speaker and won the audience over with this opening line as he praised the large conference room filled with party loyalists: "I feel like Katherine Harris. I can't count all the Democrats."

We were busy meeting deadlines and missed this crack from Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a millionaire who co-founded cellular phone giant Nextel. Courtesy of FL Politics blog: Warner told the crowd in his opening lines to keep their cell phones on. When he heard the rings that most find annoying, he said he heard "ca-ching."

And reporters were also the targets of at least one barb. Gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith was bemoaning the use of standardized tests when he attempted to draw an analogy to the difficult Law School Admissions Test.

"I don't know if you took the LSAT," he said to a roomful of reporters before pausing. "Well, I know you didn't."

Hong Kong Tourism Board launches marketing campaign in India 

Reese photographer faces arrest 

MCC students headed to Walt Disney World 

Disney Wilderness Preserve 

Disney on Ice brings magic to Pepsi Arena 

Who killed Christopher Robin? Disney, that's who

429 Extension Opens In Orange County

Hong Kong Tourism Board launches marketing campaign in India

 

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), which is celebrating 2006 as the Discover Hong Kong Year, launched its promotional campaign in India. The 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign is a part of the organization's global initiatives to promote the country's tourism sector.

Officiated by HKTB's South and Southeast Asia regional director David Leung, the launch held in Mumbai showcased the colorful journey of discovery of Hong Kong's new image with its array of diverse and multidimensional offerings leveraging on the opening of various tourism projects in Hong Kong in 2005 and 2006.

Addressing the guests at the launch event, Leung said the 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year global marketing campaign would not only generate immediate visitor arrivals, but also provide the impetus for sustained growth from the Indian market during the coming years. The campaign is expected to bring total arrivals to a new record of 27 million and total tourism expenditure to exceed the HK$100 billion mark to reach HK$114.7 billion.

"India is a very important market for Hong Kong. Last year, we welcomed 244,364 Indian residents, the highest number ever, and the 11.2 per cent growth in arrivals in the first ten months of 2005 equally underlines the depth of Hong Kong's appeal in India, one of our key markets in this region." he said.

As a prelude to this global promotion, Hong Kong recently hosted a shoot for the popular Star Plus serial Kavyanjali. The shoot was held in various Hong Kong's attractions including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Avenue of Stars, Murray House, and Symphony of Lights.

This promotion was further supported by a consumer contest with Red FM in Mumbai; and HKTB has also developed a drama map titled "Discover Kavyanjali in Hong Kong" with Hindustan Times as the media partner to bring visitors on the trail of the Kavyanjali's Hong Kong experience.

To maximize the campaign's impact and effectiveness, high yield business travelers from India will be one of priority market segments for HKTB. "More than 60 per cent of our overnight arrivals from India come on business. We'll therefore take advantage of our new tourism assets and host mega events to encourage business visitors to stay longer and also bring companions with them, so that their loved ones can experience Hong Kong's myriad attractions." added Leung.

Reese photographer faces arrest

An arrest warrant has been issued for a photographer who allegedly struck a 5-year-old child with his camera while trying to take pictures of Reese Witherspoon and her children at an amusement park.

An Orange County judge issued the warrant Friday after Todd Kevin Wallace, 44, failed to show up for a bail hearing.

Wallace had been free on his own recognizance while awaiting trial on six misdemeanor charges stemming from the Sept. 2 incident at Disney's California Adventure.

He allegedly became angry when Witherspoon and her friends declined to be photographed and cursed them. Witherspoon's group was at the amusement park for a birthday party for her 6-year-old daughter.

Police said Wallace took photos from afar, but once he got close to the group, he became aggressive and scared some of the people, including some children, who were in tears.

The city attorney's office requested the bail hearing after learning that Wallace had been arrested Dec. 5 for allegedly stealing from an electronics store in the San Fernando Valley.

Wallace had posted $20,000 bail and was freed after the arrest pending arraignment on a felony charge of petty theft with a prior conviction, said Nancy Lidamore of the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

The photographer served more than four years in prison after a 1993 conviction for second-degree burglary and receiving goods by fraud, according to state corrections records.

Wallace has an unlisted phone number and could not be located for comment Friday.

MCC students headed to Walt Disney World

Six Meridian Community College students will be starting the new year with a new journey, while another will be returning to the Walt Disney World College Program.

Brandon Gordon, 20, Mason Williams, 18, Ericka Griffin, 18, Morgan Shepperd, 18, Stephen Wilson, 19, and Tacara Turner, 18, will be traveling to the Orlando, Fla., resort in January to take part in a one-of-a-kind, paid living, learning and earning experience for college students from all majors and backgrounds.

Students live in gated apartment communities and work in one of the resort's four theme parks. They also have the opportunity to enroll in courses at Disney University.

MCC Associate Vice President of Workforce Education Shirley Nell Goodman said to the students during a reception held Wednesday, "This is a great honor for you to go. Education doesn't have to take place in a classroom. It will be an amazing experience."

MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott also congratulated the students and noted that they are ambassadors for the college as well as the entire state.

Shepperd is excited about the opportunity. "I'm wanting to learn whatever Disney throws my way," she said, noting she's never been away from home before.

Turner, who aspires to become a real estate entrepreneur, said she's eager to learn at the Florida resort.

Both Griffin and Williams are hopeful about the experience, and Gordon, who moved to Mississippi from another state, said "Now I'm taking another step and I have no fear. I know it will be exciting."

Making his second trip to the Disney College Program will be Jeffrey Shane Martin, 24. Martin, part of the Disney Class of 2004, said he had great time.

"I met people from all over the world," he said.

Martin worked with Hong Kong Disney workers as well as people from Brazil.

"The friendships you make there last. Disney has this theme of 'Creating Magic through Diversity' and it really is a learning experience," Martin said. He added that, like any other job, there will be times when it's not so enjoyable. Martin auditioned earlier and has landed a position as a Disney character.

According to Deborah Nettles, MCC Career Development Center coordinator, the students will be working and also continuing their college studies. All of the students chosen to participate in the Disney internship program will be taking distance learning online courses through MCC. Additional credit courses are available through Walt Disney World.

Disney Wilderness Preserve

WHAT: The Nature Conservancy maintains the Disney Wilderness Preserve, which was established in 1992 by the Walt Disney Co., the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Nature Conservancy and public agencies. The 12,000-acre site features a 3-mile hiking trail, picnic areas on Lake Russell, an information kiosk, an interpretive trail and buggy tours.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily with buggy tours (pictured) at 1:30 p.m. Sundays.

WHERE: 10 miles south of Kissimmee on Pleasant Hill Road.

COST: $3 adults, $2 students ($12 adults, $6 children for buggy tours).

CALL: 407-935-0002.

Disney on Ice brings magic to Pepsi Arena

Little girls came in fancy dresses and sparkling crowns and little boys brandished lighted swords, ready to be the hero. It was definitely a show for everyone.

The dazzling costumes, spectacular lighting, true-to-form Disney sets and nonstop action on -- and above -- the ice create a wondrous feeling, but it is the elaborate castle that turns 360 degrees, that creates the magical backdrop for the different stories.

And what would a Disney show be without the music, and 'Princess Classics' has all the favorites, including 'Prince Ali' and 'A Whole New World' from 'Aladdin'; 'Once Upon a Dream' from 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'Under the Sea' and 'Part of Your World' from 'The Little Mermaid'; 'Reflection' from Mulan; 'Silly Song,' 'Whistle While You Work,' 'Heigh Ho' and 'One Song' from 'Snow White'; 'Beauty and the Beast' from 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Cinderelly,' 'Sing, Sweet Nightingale,' 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,' 'Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo' and 'So This is Love' from 'Cinderella.'

The performance flows from one princess to another, beginning with Princess Jasmine of 'Aladdin' and her dream to meet just the right prince before her birthday. Enter 'Prince Ali,' aka Aladdin, his comical genie and his monkey-turned-elephant Abu. Ali sweeps Jasmine off her feet -- literally -- with the help of his magic carpet and the two take a special ride.

As the carpet flies away, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather are getting ready to bring Princess Aurora back home to meet Prince Phillip, whom she has met 'once upon a dream,' but the evil Maleficent intervenes and puts the princess into a deep sleep.

From there, the journey travels deep into the ocean to the neon world of fish and fun and Princess Ariel. Sebastian the crab tries his best to talk her out of becoming a human, but the lure of Prince Eric proves too much, and she trades her voice to the sea witch, Ursula, to get legs. This brightly colored world features the amazing 'skateless' number between Ariel and Eric that is a true show of endurance.

The show then heads out of the water and into the warrior world of Mulan, as she struggles to find a way to fight for her country and save her father from having to go into battle.

The stage is set for battle but things are soon transformed from the battlefield to the quaint cottage where seven strange little men are going about their day -- off to work, of course -- leaving Snow White alone. As the wicked Queen plots to be the 'fairest in the land,' the children in the audience tried to warn Snow White not to take a bite of the poisoned apple. The dwarfs come home to find Snow White in her 'deep sleep' and mourn her, encasing her in glass and placing a rose on the ice.

That rose is found by Belle, but the Beast is not happy. 'Get out,' he yells before he and Belle discover 'there's something there that wasn't there before.' Unfortunately, Gaston steps in and fights with the Beast, wounding him and leaving Belle crying by his side.

These mini cliffhangers are left for the audience, who knows what is going to happen anyway, as the stage is set for the last princess tale -- Cinderella.

Nothing, not even her evil stepmother or bumbling stepsisters, can keep her from finding love. With a little help from her mice friends and a fairy godmother, who descends from above, she is whisked away in a magical coach, complete with four sparkling white horses to the fanciest royal ball ever. But the clock ticks closer to midnight and Cinderella will soon have her dream come to an end.

Luckily that famous glass slipper saves the day as the prince finds his true love. The finale brings all of the stories to a close, with each prince and princess decked out in their finest wedding attire as they dance into the night.

In the end, you know everyone will live happily ever after.

Disney on Ice 'Princess Classics' continues through Sunday at the Pepsi Arena in Albany. Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today; 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 and $18. A limited number of Royal Rinkside and VIP seats are available. Prices do not include the facility fee. Tickets are available at the Pepsi Arena Box Office or by calling (800) 30-EVENT. For information, visit www.disneyonice.com.

Who killed Christopher Robin? Disney, that's who

It's enough to bring out the Eeyore in us all. The Disney Corporation has announced that Winnie the Pooh is about to relegate Christopher Robin, his faithful friend of 80 years, in favor of a six-year-old girl.

For Disney, it is a rebranding opportunity. But for the legions of fans who grew up with AA Milne's whimsical stories, it is nothing short of sacrilege.

It is hardly the first time Disney has outraged Pooh purists, of course. They bought the rights to the Pooh stories and images in 1961. Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the rest were duly Americanized and their characters changed; the wistful bear of little brain, who was regularly described as "growling", acquired an effete little voice and West Coast perma-cheer.

By the end of the decade the original cast had been augmented by a new character called, with crushing inevitability, Gopher. "The latest stories are just regular American cartoons with Pooh and friends as characters in them," writes one angry blogger. "I have a book where Christopher Robin goes to school, through the Hundred Acre Wood, in an American yellow school bus. Ouch!"

"The charm and flavor is not there in Disney," says illustrator Anne James, whose South Melbourne shop, Books Illustrated, does not stock the Disney versions of Pooh. "The fact that they took it and changed it so drastically means they haven't got a sense of the thing they wanted in the first place." Sadly, she says, many children now know Pooh and his friends only as Disney characters. "Disney overshadows everything else. Their versions are like the sweet biscuit that gets picked up before the dry biscuit."

Lumpy, another new character, was introduced in this year's film, Pooh's Heffalump Movie. In Milne's original story, the Heffalump was a phantom conjured by Pooh and Piglet as they puzzled over footprints in the snow that were, in fact, their own. In the film, Lumpy is a literal baby elephant. And now comes a red-haired girl, quaintly described by Disney's people as "a tomboy", to show that adventures with stuffed toys are not just for boys.

A company spokeswoman cautioned that the new character "is not a replacement for Christopher Robin" but the character based on author AA Milne's son will not be central in a new Disney channel series planned for 2007.

For many children's literature buffs, this is just one step too far. Christopher Robin, after all, really existed. Alan Alexander Milne, who was already a successful playwright when his son was born in 1920, wrote the stories specifically for and about him. One was published in the Evening Standard newspaper on Christmas Eve, 1925, and the first book appeared three years later.

"Did I do something and did my father then write a story around it?" wrote Christopher in his memoir, Enchanted Places. "Or was it the other way about, and did the story come first? He wanted ideas for his stories, I wanted them for my games; and each looked towards the other for inspiration."

Winnie the Pooh was young Christopher's teddy. He was named after a tame Canadian bear in the London Zoo he was allowed to visit. One of the most delightful bits of Pooh memorabilia is a photograph of the real Christopher Robin sitting in the zoo's bear pit, feeding Winnie condensed milk. Piglet was given to him by a neighbor who saw him out for walks with his nurse. Owl and Rabbit, by contrast — and as the original illustrations by EH Shepard show — were based on real animals that father and son had spotted in the woods near their home.

Christopher Robin Milne died in 1996, so at least he will never see himself squeezed out of his own story. His widow, Leslie, said last week that she thought he wouldn't have cared. His fame meant that he had been bullied at school; until late in his life he always resented it as a burden. "He hated the character Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh and Disney," she said. "He detested the whole set-up so much that I don't think he would have minded the loss."

The new heroine, as yet unnamed but successfully piloted with focus groups, will star in a computer-generated television series called My Friends Tigger and Pooh, to be shown on Disney channels worldwide in 2007. Pictures on the internet show her in combat trousers and a bicycle helmet, wearing a backpack.

"The feeling was these timeless characters really needed a breath of fresh air that only the introduction of someone new could provide," Nancy Kanter of the Disney Channel said last week. Christopher Robin would not be written out entirely; he would "still be out in the woods, playing. The last thing we want to be is the ones who brought the franchise down."

Indeed, Winnie the Pooh has been crucial to Disney's prosperity. It is a property the studio protects jealously. Disney is still fighting an appeal in a 14-year-old Los Angeles lawsuit by heirs of Milne's former agent, Stephen Slesinger, who sold them the rights to the character in 1961 in return for annual royalties. Slesinger then sued for royalties on items that did not exist at the time of the original agreement, such as videos and DVDs. They claimed about £35,000 ($A82,000) outstanding, plus hundreds of thousands in damages.

Sales of Pooh merchandise are worth at least $1 billion each year, more than all their other core characters combined.

"They are not changing Christopher Robin to a girl because of gender equality," opined one chat room objector under the name of Mars 13. "They are doing it to sell girls more Winnie the Pooh crap."

429 Extension Opens In Orange County

County and state leaders cut the ribbon Friday on a new leg of the 429 Western Beltway that will alleviate some traffic on Interstate 4 and provide a faster way to travel through west Orange County.

The section of the 429 Western Beltway from county Road 525 in Winter Garden to New Independence Parkway will officially open to Central Florida motorists Friday at 5 p.m.

Next week, a new section of the road will open to U.S. 192 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Walt Disney World has started building a new entrance road off the tollway in the same area.

Also, next December, the Beltway will connect to Interstate 4, according to the report.

"This is a great day for west Orange County," Winter Garden Sen. Daniel Webster said. "I'm really excited for what this can do the economy here. But not only that, when this is completed, it is going to relieve much of the traffic in downtown Orlando. It still will now."

When the road connects to Interstate 4 next year, it will take an estimated 46,000 cars out of downtown.

"This new toll way extension, for better or worse, will dramatically change the rural landscape out here," DeForest said.

The new roads are being built at a cost of $450 million and are paid for by tolls.

Chemicals send Disneyland workers to hospital 

Disney believes in Petaluma PhotoTLC 

Twirlers to join Mickey on Main Street 

ABC reporter wins unfair dismissal case 

Florida tourism expected to jump 3.2 percent 

ESPN signs exclusive ad deals for Mobile ESPN 

Rumor Has It Prince Caspian Is a Go 

Disney stars in festive campaign 

Disney sues Beltsville man accused of illegal file-swapping 

Chicken Little Prepares for DVD Launch 

ESPN Signs Six Sponsors for its Mobile Service

Chemicals send Disneyland workers to hospital

 

Three workers at Disneyland were taken to the hospital early today when one mixed two chemicals that created a noxious vapor, fire officials said.

The incident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. when one worker was attempting to chlorinate a water-spray system near the Flix Fanfare attraction, said Maria Sabol, a spokeswoman for the Anaheim Fire Department.

The chemicals were hydrochloric acid and sodium hydrochloride, a bleach, she said. She said the result was a vapor similar to that which occurs when household bleaches are mixed with some other household chemicals against the advice of product warning labels.

Sabol said the chemicals were being used to chlorinate a water system that feeds water jet sprays for a children's play area.

Firefighters and the Anaheim hazmat unit were supervising the cleanup. No interruption in park activities is expected, she said.

Disney believes in Petaluma PhotoTLC

A Petaluma company that turns photos into personalized gifts and restores more old photos than any other in the country announced a $10million infusion of cash Wednesday from The Walt Disney Co. and two other investors.

The deal gives PhotoTLC Inc., a 3-year-old company with 100 employees, the ability to expand its manufacturing facilities and opens the door to working with Disney to create personalized products with Disney characters and companies.

"It's a dream come true," said Ed Bernstein, PhotoTLC's founder and chief executive.

"We already sell our retailers' products with Disney characters. We can put a child's photo on a melamine plate with Winnie the Pooh or Tigger," Bernstein said. "Now we are having discussions about other products we might do with Disney. I can't think of a better combination of investor and strategic partner."

The other investors are JP Morgan's Bay Area Equity Fund in San Francisco, which invests in socially responsible companies, and El Dorado Ventures in Menlo Park, which seeks out entrepreneurs in information technologies.

PhotoTLC has made its mark by working through retail chains to offer professional-quality photo restoration and a full range of personalized photo gifts, including mouse pads, T-shirts, knitted blankets and commemorative plates.

A customer scans his photo at a store's digital photo kiosk. The store sends the scanned copies to PhotoTLC, which processes the order in two days and returns the fully restored photo or gift item to the store for the customer to pick up.

Each day, PhotoTLC processes thousands of orders from 15,000 retail stores across the country, including Walgreens, Rite Aid and Albertsons.

"It's an Amazon.com type of challenge," Bernstein said. "We're the only high-volume mass market provider of photo restoration in the country."

In years past, photo restoration was provided by custom labs, while small manufacturers turned out photo gift items. Generally, the cost was higher and the turnaround time longer than PhotoTLC's.

The company is able to provide high quality at lower prices by developing its own, exclusive technology and software systems, Bernstein said.

Several social trends have fueled PhotoTLC's rise - the widespread use of digital cameras, the growing popularity of genealogy and scrapbooking, and consumers' fascination with personalized items of all kinds.

"We're having a great time. It's a great time to be in this business," Bernstein said.

The company started out in 2002 in Larkspur as a marketing partner for retailers, then moved to Corte Madera and to Novato as business grew.

But outsourcing the manufacturing didn't work well, Bernstein said.

PhotoTLC obtained $5million in venture capital from El Dorado Ventures last year and in May moved to Petaluma to open its first manufacturing facility.

The company chose Petaluma because officers wanted to stay in the Bay Area, and Petaluma could provide the manufacturing space and access to a good labor pool, Bernstein said.

The company occupies 40,000 square feet in the former IDC Building on Cypress Drive. It employs 100 workers year-round, and swells to as many as 400 workers during peak demand seasons such as Christmas, Mother's Day and Father's Day, Bernstein said.

Last month, the company acquired an additional 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Austin, Texas.

PhotoTLC will use the new $10million in venture capital to expand its manufacturing capacity and the technology needed to serve its stores and online customers.

"PhotoTLC has rapidly emerged as the leading retail supplier of personalized photo gifts and photo restoration services," said Shanda Bahles, general partner at El Dorado Ventures. "(They) are transforming this industry segment and delivering a significantly higher-quality service."

Twirlers to join Mickey on Main Street

When 60 little girls, spangled in sequins and pepped up on adrenaline, finish marching down the length of Disneyland's Main Street on Saturday night, it will herald the end of an era. For many of the girls in the Desert Delight Twirlers, The Holiday Magic Extravaganza will be the first time that they get to frolic in a parade with Mickey Mouse.

But for their baton teacher, Peggy Risk, it will probably be the last time.

As Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary, she will wrap up her own 50th anniversary.

Risk began teaching twirling lessons five decades ago and is now winding up her career in anticipation of her retirement in the spring.

For the last few years, she's been teaching at St. Theresa Catholic School in Palm Springs and Amelia Earhart Elementary in Indio.

Countless little girls in Ohio and the Coachella Valley have raised their chins and spun their batons above their heads under her eagle eye, which misses nothing.

And for a little while longer, the 60-plus girls in the Desert Delight Twirlers will continue to refine their twirling technique under her tutelage.

"Keep your eyes up, Bailey," she called to 7-year-old Bailey Levine during a recent afternoon practice. "Big smiles."

"They've really gotten the routine down," parent Amber Schwan said, as she watched her daughter, Marissa Wells, 10, practice with the other girls.

"They're going to look really good."

For her part, Marissa's excited, if a little nervous.

"I haven't marched in Disneyland before," she said. "It'll be amazing to do it."

Will Risk miss little faces like Marissa's, like those of sisters Alana and Alexus Lozano, or Carli Roe, or Samantha Spurgin, or Gabrielle LeCroy?

She gulped and nodded hard, her eyes reddening as she turned away to look at the girls, her girls, still practicing getting those knees up, those spins right.

She inhaled and kept on teaching.

"Girls, good job," she said. "I want all of you to put your arms out to the side like this and give yourselves a big hug."

ABC reporter wins unfair dismissal case

The tribunal ruled for former correspondent Richard Gizbert, who claimed ABC News ended his freelance contract last year because he would not cover the war in Iraq, where foreigners, including journalists, have been targeted for kidnapping and murder.

The American network says that all assignments to war zones and other dangerous areas are voluntary.

Gizbert, 48, is seeking £2.3 million ($4 million) in compensation, which the tribunal plans to rule on early next year.

The court rejected ABC News' contention that its dismissal of Gizbert was not linked to his refusal to cover wars, but came because he was inessential and it was making severe cutbacks.

It said testimony by ABC News executives was at times inconsistent and "not entirely reliable."

The tribunal said in a written verdict that "the principal reason for dismissing (Gizbert), in circumstances where (ABC News) was cutting back its budget, was his refusal to go to war zones."

"This ruling amounts to a vindication for an individual, it amounts to an indictment for one particular company, ABC News/Disney, and it's a warning to other news organizations that your voluntary war zone policy has to mean what it says," Gizbert said.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said network officials were still reading the decision and would consider their options.

"Mr. Gizbert was not dismissed because he wouldn't go to a war zone," Schneider said. "As we said throughout the tribunal, ABC News' long-standing policy is and always will be that assignments to war zones and other dangerous places are completely voluntary."

Gizbert, who began working in ABC's London bureau in 1993, had been a war correspondent for years, covering conflicts in Bosnia, Chechnya and Somalia for ABC. He said he became reluctant to do so in the late 1990s, as his children grew up.

ABC initially had little problem with his decision, said Gizbert, who is from Ottawa. But after the 2001 attacks on America, an intense new focus on foreign news meant London correspondents were badly needed in war zones.

Gizbert said he gave up at least $150,000 a year in salary and benefits to go freelance so he wouldn't have to cover conflicts.

ABC News decided last year not to renew his contract, a decision the tribunal said amounted to dismissal.

Gizbert's lawyer Patrick Green said the ruling "shows that the media do not get to make their own rules."

"It marks an important step in the case law, by recognizing the global workplace and the real risks of reporting from war zones," he said.

Florida tourism expected to jump 3.2 percent

About 3.2 percent more visitors are expected to come to Florida next year, but worries about busy hurricane seasons are keeping some travelers away, the state's tourism marketing agency said Thursday.

Next year's outlook is higher than the national forecast of up to 2 percent more visitors to the U.S. next year, Visit Florida said at its board meeting. Tourism is Florida's biggest industry, with revenues of about $57 billion last year.

Last year, 79.7 million people visited Florida, the most ever and a 6.8 percent increase from 2003. Florida should surpass the 80 million visitor mark this year for the first time, said Barry E. Pitegoff, the agency's vice president of research. The state may have already exceeded that, but results won't be in until Feb. 15.

If that figure holds, and the forecast is correct, that would mean at least 2.5 million more people would visit the state in 2006.

"If we did not have the challenge of hurricanes, our visitor numbers could be higher," said Bud Nocera, president and chief executive of Visit Florida.

The prediction for next year includes the possible effects of more hurricanes hitting the state, Pitegoff said. Hurricanes are the single biggest factor affecting tourists' decision to visit Florida, he said.

The agency is noticing that some tourists are planning to avoid Florida during the peak hurricane months of August, September and October, said Dale Brill, chief marketing officer. That is a change from the past, when Florida's balmy climate attracted visitors during all seasons of the year, he said.

He said the agency will focus more on advertising to the meeting and convention market and less on leisure travelers to counter negative effects from hurricanes

"The reason we're so cautious is that it's very, very difficult to attract the amount of leisure vacations that you need to make up for what one (convention) group delivers," he said.

Apart from the hurricanes, economic factors like gasoline and heating oil prices and rising interest rates will also impact travel plans, but they shouldn't keep people away, Pitegoff said. They mostly will make visitors adjust how long they stay and how much they'll spend while here, he said.

"The first thing that we saw when gas prices went to close to $3 a gallon ... was that visitors coming here wanted to spend less on eating out," he said.

Still, he expected tourist spending to increase more than the predicted 3.2 percent jump in visitors.

Another concern is that other states and destinations are catching up to Florida in the amount they spend on tourism marketing, Brill said. Oregon spends just $1 million less than Visit Florida on advertising, he said.

The bulk of Visit Florida's $24.7 million annual budget comes from rental car surcharges, which rose 14.7 percent through October this year.

ESPN signs exclusive ad deals for Mobile ESPN

The Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) ESPN said on Thursday that it has reached advertising agreements with six major corporations for its soon-to-be launched Mobile ESPN wireless phone service for sports fans.

The cable sports network has signed year-long agreements with Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) , Molson Coors Brewing Co (TAP.N) , General Motors (GM.N) , Hilton Hotels Corp. (HLT.N) , Nike Inc. (NKE.N) and Visa.

The sponsorships start Feb. 5, the day Mobile ESPN becomes nationally available.

Each corporate logo will appear on the phones on animated billboards, banner ads and on scoreboard and columnist pages as well as the trivia-and-polls page SportsNation.

An ESPN spokeswoman said the companies were also exploring sponsored features, such as a sports question-and-answer page called "Answer Guy" as part of the agreements.

The Mobile ESPN phone service is available only through a specially-designed and branded Sanyo handset and carries sports statistics, short video clips and other short-form content.

The service now can be ordered online and will be widely available through Best Buy stores in February.

Rumor Has It Prince Caspian Is a Go

Aslan and The Chronicles of Narnia roared into theaters in North America and numerous international markets last week, enjoying the year's third-largest opening-weekend box office haul. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe pulled in $65 million ($107 million worldwide) – an excellent start towards recouping the $180 million that Disney and Walden Media spent on the film. The movie also fared well among critics, earning a 76% approval rating among professional film reviewers.

Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In 

Airport revises rules in response to Disney shuttle 

Disney, News Lead Hallmark Bidding 

More Flexibility Makes Hong Kong Disneyland Easier to Visit 

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire taping at Disney-MGM Studios in January 

CoolBrands hopes Disney ice cream will animate sales 

Grand Toys and Zizzle Sail the High Seas and Take Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest to Canada 

Disney sued again by Bucks company 

Desperate Housewives to Debut in China 

Jobs' Pixar In First-Ever NYC Museum Exhibit 

Disney Helps Toys for Tots 

Pixar, Disney keep investors on the edge of their seats

Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In

 

Walt Disney World Resort takes listeners inside the world's No. 1 vacation destination with "Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In," a weekly podcast debuting as part of the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," a global commemoration of 50 years of Disney theme parks.

From a Christmas Day launch, the official Walt Disney World podcast is featuring a lively mix of exclusive content -- behind-the-scenes tours of Disney's four Florida theme parks, celebrity interviews, news about upcoming events, and conversations with Disney Imagineers, the men and women responsible for the design, creation and expansion of the company's theme parks and resorts.

Listeners can subscribe to the free audio program at disneyworld.com/podcast or through the iTunes Podcast Directory. The podcasts are being produced exclusively for the fast-growing medium and can be enjoyed at the listener's convenience with a computer or portable audio player such as the Apple iPod.

Upcoming podcasts will include interviews with celebrities such as Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa ("Live with Regis & Kelly"), Susan Lucci ("All My Children"), John Stamos ("Jake in Progress"), Raven ("That's So Raven"), the Cheetah Girls, Aly & AJ, Kelly Monaco and John O'Hurley ("Dancing with the Stars"), singer-actress Vanessa Williams, and the young stars of the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media motion picture "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

Listeners also will have unprecedented access to the thoughts of Imagineers as they discuss the design and construction of Expedition Everest, a thrilling new runaway train attraction debuting at Walt Disney World Resort in spring 2006.

"Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In" joins several official podcasts from The Walt Disney Company, including free programs from Disney Online, Radio Disney, ABC, ESPN and Disneyland Resort.

Airport revises rules in response to Disney shuttle

 

The chairman of the board that governs Orlando International Airport said Wednesday that the airport made "mistakes" when it agreed to support Disney's Magical Express.

Jeffry Fuqua, chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the airport should have required Walt Disney World to operate the free shuttle and baggage service from both sides of the terminal instead of one. The airport also should have limited how many people could ride the service during the 18-month pilot period that began in May, he said.

"Yes, we made some mistakes," Fuqua said. "Pilot means pilot. It [Magical Express] should have been capped."

The comments came after months of criticism from other ground transportation companies at the airport that say their businesses have been damaged by Magical Express' success. The free Disney shuttle averages about 10,000 people each day, according to Disney figures.

On Wednesday, the airport board voted to revise some of the rules for ground transportation companies, including changes that some board members indicated could be unfair to Disney.

The new rules say that Disney cannot post "greeters" on the second level of the airport, where most transportation companies meet their customers near baggage claim. Instead, the rules say, Mears Transportation Group -- the company that operates the shuttle for Disney -- can post its employees there to meet Magical Express riders.

"To say to them [Disney] you can't have your two employees there, but you can have two employees of the company you hired to do this work, is really splitting hairs in my mind," said board member and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty.

The new rules create a new category of ground transportation companies called "resort transportation service." Only Disney currently meets the definition of that new category.

But, Fuqua said, it won't be long before more companies begin to follow Disney's lead. Already two more groups, including Universal Orlando, have expressed interest in creating a baggage and shuttle service.

Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said the company does feel "singled out" and would prefer a Disney employee greet its guests, but it "will follow the rules" as discussions continue on the future of the program.

Disney and airport officials negotiated for months before signing an agreement a year ago to launch an 18-month pilot program.

In November, airport officials stopped Disney from posting employees on the main level of the terminal because no other transportation companies were allowed to welcome passengers there. It also prohibited Disney from letting travelers who had not pre-booked a reservation from riding Magical Express, because the airport has a policy against soliciting customers in the terminal.

According to a Disney analysis, the program has so far provided a net revenue increase of $1.6 million compared with 2004 and is helping to increase the capacity at the airport by moving passengers and bags efficiently.

On the flip side, other ground transportation companies say they were given no warning of the vast changes Magical Express would bring when it began seven months ago.

"Disney is taking a majority of the traffic at the airport," said Hesam Sahraian, operations manager for L&M Car Rental. "The small businesses count on walk-up business and that has basically disappeared."

Still, board members said change was inevitable and planned a more detailed review of the impact of Magical Express by February.

"It's important as far as I'm concerned to understand that we're going into a new era and we have to change the way we're doing things to move forward," board member Jeanne Van Meter said.

Disney, News Lead Hallmark Bidding

News Corp. and The Walt Disney Co. are emerging as the most serious suitors for Hallmark Channel, according to Wall Street analysts.

So far, Hallmark parent Crown Media Holdings Inc. has received a half-dozen bids for the network, with several potential buyers now engaged in due diligence. But of that group of possible acquirers — which includes Viacom and Time Warner Inc. — Rupert Murdoch and Disney are the most interested and ardent potential buyers, according to Wall Street officials.

Disney officials, who have previously denied any interest in Hallmark, Wednesday couldn’t be reached for comment. News Corp. president Peter Chernin last week confirmed that his company was bidding for Hallmark.

Crown spokeswoman Mindy Tucker denied a Wednesday report in The Wall Street Journal which said a lack of interest from buyers might force Crown to pull the network off the block. But she declined to comment on the bidders.

Hallmark would be a good fit with Disney, according to Robert Routh of Jefferies & Co.

“They can take the content library, they can leverage it across their other platforms,” he said. “It’s family-oriented fare. It’s totally non-controversial. … It’s worth more in their hands than in any other potential buyer’s hands.”

Routh views Crown’s nearly $50 million settlement of a dispute with one of its investors, the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, as positive in terms of any sale. That because the NICC, claiming $100 million in damages, had threatened to sue Crown over a production deal it has with Hallmark.

The settlement was disclosed this week by Crown in a securities filing. Under the agreement, the interfaith group would get nearly $50 million in funding to produce programming for Hallmark. The arrangement also calls for the NICC to receive from $15 million to $25 million if Hallmark is sold to a third party.

More Flexibility Makes Hong Kong Disneyland Easier to Visit

 

Experiencing the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland will soon be easier than ever with the introduction of flexible date tickets. Starting January 3, 2006, guests may purchase non-date specific tickets and use them during a 6-month period following their purchase.

The new tickets are part of Hong Kong Disneyland's commitment to making the guest experience as seamless and magical as possible, while allowing greater flexibility in planning a full day of fun at the park.

"Our parks are always evolving and we receive a steady stream of feedback which allows us to adapt in order to make a great experience even better. Our guests and travel industry partners around Asia have told us they want the opportunity to buy tickets that are not date specific. As a result, we're happy to introduce new flexible tickets that will make planning a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland easier and more convenient," said Roy Tan Hardy, Vice President, Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland.

The Honorable Howard Young, Legislative Counselor representing Tourism Functional Constituency, said, "The new strategy enhances and widens the partnership with the tourism industry. I am confident it will bring win-win results."

Hong Kong Disneyland will offer three types of park tickets (for more information, guests can visit hongkongdisneyland.com ):

Regular days -- Monday - Friday
(Adults HK$295, Kids HK$210, Seniors HK$170)

Peak days -- Weekend and certain vacation periods
(Adults HK$350, Kids HK$250, Seniors HK$200)

Special days -- Holidays or other date-specific special occasions (e.g. Christmas Day, New Year's Day and days during Chinese New Year and Golden Week). Peak days and Special days (priced the same) are expected to be very popular with guests.

Guests who purchase Regular day and Peak day tickets can visit the park on the same day type within six months of their ticket purchase. Guests who purchase Special day tickets will receive a date-specific ticket for their chosen date.

For guests who already have purchased date-specific tickets, they can exchange the original tickets for the new flexible tickets at Guest Relations window at the Main Gate at the front of Hong Kong Disneyland Park.

"This new ticket offering means our travel industry partners will be better able to provide options to Mainland China and overseas guests who will want flexibility when visiting Hong Kong Disneyland," said Hardy.

Tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland are available through a variety of channels: Travel agents, online at hongkongdisneyland.com , the Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Express at MTR Hong Kong Station, the Main Gate at the front of Hong Kong Disneyland Park and Group Sales office for groups of 100 and larger.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire taping at Disney-MGM Studios in January

Meredith Vieira will be at the Disney-MGM Studios on Thursday, Jan. 12, Friday, Jan.13 and Sunday, Jan. 15 to tape episodes at the "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" attraction.

Guests can request tickets for the tapings by visiting millionairetv.com. Tickets include complimentary parking plus entry to Disney-MGM Studios. Everyone in the party must have a ticket.

CoolBrands hopes Disney ice cream will animate sales

CoolBrands International Inc. is hoping Mickey Mouse and The Incredibles can sell more ice cream than Weight Watchers and Dr. Atkins.

The struggling frozen treats maker, which posted a $74-million (U.S.) annual loss yesterday, unveiled a licensing deal with Disney Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Walt Disney Co.

Starting in March, Markham, Ont.-based CoolBrands will launch five new frozen novelty items in the U.S. market based on popular animated characters. Among them, Mickey Mouse and Finding Nemo ice cream bars, an ice cream cone based on The Incredibles and a Wheelies ice cream sandwich tied to the coming Disney release Cars.

"Disney is the No. 1 entertainment company in the world," said CoolBrands president David Stein.

"So if you've got a good product that's branded in a way that draws on their animated characters you've got a good chance to appeal to kids."

Analysts said the deal has the potential to be a promising one for CoolBrands.

"If you're a kid and you're shopping with your mom, you're more likely to want to buy a Disney ice cream product than something else," said Robert Gibson, an analyst at Octagon Capital.

CoolBrands is now canvassing U.S. retailers in an attempt to strike distribution deals for the Disney frozen treats.

The ice cream bars and sandwiches will be so-called "better for you" items that are fortified with vitamins, according to CoolBrands.

"We will draw from the entire family of Disney characters. As we go along each year, we'll hope to add more products. There's certainly a deep well to draw on in terms of character equity," Mr. Stein said.

Analysts are hoping for further financial details about the arrangement on a company conference call scheduled for Monday.

They are also anxious to hear about efforts to refinance roughly $33-million in short-term debt due Jan. 3.

Yesterday, Mr. Stein said he was "confident" an agreement would be reached with lender J.P. Morgan by the deadline.

The Disney agreement was a bright spot amid the company's dismal fourth quarter and year-end results.

CoolBrands' earnings were sideswiped by the loss of a Weight Watchers licensing agreement, the virtual-collapse of its Atkins diet branded products and a $55.5-million goodwill impairment charge taken in the fourth quarter.

CoolBrands lost $64-million in the quarter ended August 31, or $1.15 per share, compared to a $12-million profit in the same period last year.

Revenue at the company whose brands also include Eskimo Pie, Breyers Yogurt and Yoplait Frozen Yogurt and cereal bars dropped almost 4 per cent during the quarter to $124-million.

For the year, CoolBrands lost $74-million or $1.32 a share. The company posted a $23.5-million profit or 42 cents last year. Revenue plunged 14 per cent to $385-million.

CoolBrands also said it will abandon its dual class share structure that gives management -- including Mr. Stein, co-chairman Michael Serruya and others -- majority control of CoolBrands votes.

The collapse of the company's multiple voting shares will not take place until May, 2007.

Grand Toys and Zizzle Sail the High Seas and Take Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest to Canada

The box-office bonanza that made pirates cool again is back in action with the next installment of Disney's PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST. And to accompany one of the most anticipated films of 2006, Grand Toys International Limited announced today that Grand's Canadian Subsidiary, under its' distribution agreement with Zizzle LLC, will deliver in Canada the first mass market toy line ever offered behind the Disney franchise, which encompasses the coming sequel and the yet to be named final film in the trilogy, scheduled for release in 2007.

Jason Mars, Grand's Vice-President of Sales and Merchandising said, "With multiple years of entertainment support between Dead Man's Chest in summer 2006 and the third movie in 2007, we believe that Pirates of the Caribbean has longevity in the marketplace, and we are excited to be working with Zizzle to build this franchise." Mr. Mars added that, "Grand will support the product line with comprehensive TV and PR programs for the Canadian market."

Zizzle, with its team of proven toy marketers led by Roger Shiffman, has come on the scene and is gaining momentum quickly. Product development for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, created by the Zizzle team, will be innovative, and marketing will seek unique, fun ways to drive Pirates at retail.

"Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean was tremendously successful, and the inherent excitement for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest combined with our fresh ideas on product development make for a powerful opportunity," said Mr. Shiffman. "The play pattern and property are the perfect fit for kids, and we hope to drive the business worldwide to a magnitude that few other major film properties have seen before."

Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean products, which will launch just prior to the movie release, will include: action figures, play sets, role play, interactive hand held games, novelty electronics and more. The line will play off the incredible depth of characters, storylines, movie sets/locations and pirate fantasy covered by the sequels. Highly detailed action figures will include all of kids' favorite characters, from Captain Jack Sparrow to Will Turner to the new villain character, Davy Jones. Figures and accessories will be launched in multiple sizes/scales and with built-in features from slashing swords to smoking cannons. Kids will be able to take to land or sea with different play sets, including an Ultimate Black Pearl ship measuring nearly three feet long! And, of course, role play toys will allow any child to become "one" with their favorite pirates, Captain Jack Sparrow, using all of his great gear.

Disney sued again by Bucks company

A Bucks County technology firm is alleging unfair competition in a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Walt Disney Co., continuing a long-standing dispute over the Mission: Space ride at Walt Disney World.

Environmental Tectonics Corp. said in its filing in federal court in Philadelphia that Disney showed "utter disrespect" for its intellectual-property rights and its role in designing the ride.

The Southampton company, which builds flight simulators, began working with Walt Disney Imagineering in 1998 to simulate the gravitational forces of spaceflight.

Its complaint alleges that Disney misrepresented the origin of Mission: Space, causing "confusion and mistake" among park owners seeking to build similar attractions. The lawsuit does not specify damages.

"We believe that the claims are without merit, and we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously," said Jacquee Polak, a Disney spokeswoman.

Environmental Tectonics sought $15 million from Disney in a lawsuit filed in June 2003, alleging that Disney reduced its role in the project in 2002 contrary to prior agreements. The ride opened in 2003.

Disney, whose $48.09 billion market capitalization is more than 1,000 times that of Environmental Tectonics, filed a counterclaim in August of that year, alleging negligence and poor performance.

The case is expected to go to trial next month.

In its latest quarterly Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Environmental Tectonics said that it had "valid defenses" against Disney's claim, which seeks $65 million in damages.

The company referred questions to its attorney, Jeremy Mishkin of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads L.L.P., who did not immediately return phone calls.

In preparing for the trial, Environmental Tectonics says in the new lawsuit, the company discovered that Disney had divulged details of its technology to competitors, including one who presented himself at the company's Southampton offices as a Disney employee.

Disney also sought to remove the company's name from engineering drawings, the lawsuit says.

Desperate Housewives to Debut in China

Touchstone Television hit series "Desperate Housewives" will debut in China on December 19, 2005 on state run CCTV8, it was announced jointly today by Laurie Younger, president, Buena Vista Worldwide Television; Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television and executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group; and Steve Macallister, senior vice president and managing director, Buena Vista International Television - Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP). In an agreement brokered by BVITV-AP and London based Zone Vision Networks, the hit series will be dubbed into Mandarin and will air as three back-to-back episodes per night, with the entire first season running in one week.

"As part of the company's continuing strategy to expand internationally, it's a privilege to bring the award-winning 'Desperate Housewives' to the great people of China. The series' addictive blend of dark comedy and gripping drama is sure to thrill audiences in China the same way it does in 202 other territories around the world," said Ms. Younger.

"Quality productions with fantastic storytelling transcend culture and language," added Mr. Pedowitz. "Fans worldwide relate to these characters."

"We are delighted to be working with Zone Vision as a partner in China," commented Mr. Macallister. "'Desperate Housewives' has been breaking records around the world and we are sure it will be a hit with Chinese viewers."

"As part of our commitment to our relationship with CCTV and our viewers in China, we have made it a priority to acquire the very best top-quality Hollywood and international series and movies for our 'Jiayi' program block," said Chris Sharp, general manager and chief programming officer, Zone Vision Networks. "Certainly the multi award-winning 'Desperate Housewives' series satisfies those very high standards. It is a truly unique series and a worldwide phenomenon, and we are delighted to work with Disney and Touchstone Television to bring this incredible series to China for the first time."

"Desperate Housewives," winner of two Golden Globes and two Emmys, takes a dark, comedic look into the secret lives of suburban families and neighbors living on Wisteria Lane. The international phenomenon continues to break ratings records around the world. The series ranked as the no.1-rated series in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Italy, Singapore, South Africa and Germany. At the time of its launch on Channel 4 in the UK, the series garnered the channel's highest-ever audience share of a U.S. series launch, and was its most-watched debut of a U.S. series in 10 years. "Desperate Housewives" claimed the title of the most-watched new drama in Australia's history, and more than tripled Net5's primetime averages in the Netherlands. In Singapore the series set a record as the highest-rated acquired drama for its season premiere. In 2006 local versions of "Desperate Housewives" will go into production across five countries in Latin America.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Alfre Woodard as Betty Applewhite, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Mark Moses as Paul Young, Richard Burgi as Karl Mayer, Roger Bart as George Williams, Cody Kasch as Zach Young, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Mehcad Brooks as Matthew Applewhite, Jesse Metcalfe as John and Zane Huett as Parker Scavo.

Created by Marc Cherry ("The Golden Girls"), the series is executive-produced by Cherry and Tom Spezialy ("The District," "Ed"), and is produced by Touchstone Television.

Touchstone Television has established itself as one of Hollywood's leading production companies, supplying critically acclaimed, quality entertainment to the television industry. For the 2005-06 TV season, Touchstone Television has a slate of 16 new and returning series on broadcast and cable networks.

Buena Vista International Television is responsible for The Walt Disney Company's branded and non-branded filmed entertainment distribution, licensing over 30,000 hours of programming to over 1,300 broadcasters across 240 territories. BVITV licenses movies from producers including Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films, programming from Touchstone Television and ABC News, along with the annual Academy Awards. BVITV also distributes Disney-produced animated and live action series, Disney Channel Original Movies, pre-school programming, and services the distribution of the Jetix Europe portfolio of content.

Jobs' Pixar In First-Ever NYC Museum Exhibit

The Museum of Modern Art, which has intrigued and perplexed crowds since the 1930s, led the movement to recognize comics and cartoons as "valid" popular art, along the same lines as jazz.

So it's a natural for the New York City institution to host a retrospective of that contemporary wellspring of animation, Pixar (nasdaq: PIXR).

The firm, led by Chief Executive Steve Jobs, has been drawing and key-padding for two decades, linking traditional and digital cartooning. Thus, the "Pixar: 20 Years of Animation" exhibit, boasting more than 500 works of original art on loan for the first time from Jobs' company. It includes paintings, sculptures and digital installations, as well as a zoetrope, the 19th century motion simulator pre-dating "movie" film.

The exhibit also has a complete retrospective of Pixar's brilliant--and brilliantly money-making--animated films, including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles and the ultra-blockbuster Finding Nemo.

Of course, history has shown us that art can also be a useful tool of propaganda.

The exhibit is ever-timely in highlighting the lucrative genius of Pixar even as The Walt Disney Co.'s (nyse: DIS) new CEO Robert Iger seems to hint at a new agreement with the animation house.

Under Iger's predecessor, Michael Eisner, Disney's relations with Pixar--and with Jobs himself--became ragged, including caustic public comments about Jobs' "other" role as CEO of Apple Computer (nasdaq: AAPL).

And consider this: Disney's recent solo effort, Chicken Little, apparently missed that Pixar gift of enthralling both kiddies and adults: It opened Nov. 6 and to date has grossed $127,280,176 at the U.S. box office, according to Internet Movie Database. Compare that to Finding Nemo, a joint effort of the two firms, which grossed $339,714,367, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. Even the weakest of the MoMA roster, A Bug's Life, pulled in $162.8, according to The Movie Times Web site.

So enjoy the exhibit--and ask yourself whether cartoons are really just kids' stuff.

Disney Helps Toys for Tots

Walt Disney World cast members are giving back to the community, in helping to stock one of the nations best known holiday charity drives. The Marine Corps vehicles will be making a big pickup today.

"Preliminary numbers indicate that we have collected 21, 260 toys, 20 bikes and 1 television."

That's Lisset Campos of Disney says those items will become presents for needy children in Central Florida.

"The Central Florida toys for tots will helping an estimated 16,000 families in Orange County and Seminole."

You can help the toys for tots campaign to this holiday season.

Click here to go to their website to find out how.

Pixar, Disney keep investors on the edge of their seats

As the courtship between Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Co. drags on, some investors and analysts have started wondering whether a future partnership could be deeper than a straightforward distribution deal for Pixar's movies.

For months, the companies have been in talks about continuing one of the most successful partnerships in the entertainment industry, which dates back to 1995's "Toy Story," the pioneering computer-animated movie that was the first of six major hits created by Pixar. Under the current deal that expires with next June's "Cars," Disney co-finances Pixar's movies, and the companies equally split film profits after Disney takes a distribution fee and is compensated for marketing and other costs.

Having established a stellar track record, Pixar has been seeking a more lucrative deal that would involve Pixar picking up all the production costs of its movies and simply paying Disney a distribution fee.

There is another, more fanciful, theory buoying Pixar's share price, though: Disney could buy Pixar and make it, in effect, Disney's animated-film division. That idea has been floated in recent research reports, including several by Credit Suisse First Boston analyst William Drewry, who doesn't own any Pixar shares and has an outperform rating on the stock. Mr. Drewry further speculated that Pixar's chief executive, Steve Jobs, could become a member of the Disney board and a significant shareholder in the media giant. CSFB has provided investment-banking services to Pixar of Emeryville, Calif.

According to people familiar with the talks, Pixar and Disney of Burbank, Calif., are still toying with a broad range of options. For instance, these people say, one idea that has been kicked around by the companies is that Pixar could sell Disney a minority stake or give Disney a participation in the performance of its movies in exchange for sequel rights to Pixar's existing library of films, including "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles." It has long irked Mr. Jobs that Disney controls the sequel rights to his movies. However, such an option would be complex to pull off.

A Pixar spokesman and a Disney spokeswoman declined to comment.

In a recent interview, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said that "I've concluded that for the company to be successful long-term creatively, it must get animation right. That does guide a bit of what we end up doing with Pixar but it's not fully determinate. ... The nature of the deal is what is most important, it's not whether there is a deal or not."

Messrs. Jobs and Iger have sidestepped questions about a possible acquisition in recent conference calls with investors and analysts, further fueling chatter about such an option. Analysts estimate such talk has boosted Pixar's stock by several dollars -- a so-called takeover premium that could evaporate if the two end up not tying the knot. Pixar's shares rose 8 percent the day after CSFB's Mr. Drewry issued a report Oct. 6 titled "What if Disney Buys Pixar?" and the company's shares are up more than 22 percent since that date.

In 4 p.m. composite trading Wednesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Pixar's shares were down 62 cents to $54.72, giving the company a market capitalization of about $6.5 billion. On the New York Stock Exchange, Disney, with a market value of about $51 billion, fell 13 cents to $25.

In a research report following Disney's recent fourth-quarter earnings, Prudential Equity Group analyst Katherine Styponias noted that Mr. Iger said Disney's top priority is animation. "Although very little color and commentary was given on the Pixar discussions, we felt that the potential for an outright purchase of Pixar is not out of the realm of possibilities based on management's tone and comments," Ms. Styponias said in her report. She has an overweight rating on Pixar and doesn't own any Pixar stock. Prudential doesn't do any business with the animation company.

Such an outcome seems like a long shot to some investors. "I think they feel their process is very different from Disney's and they wouldn't want to risk losing control over that," says Anthony Valencia, a media and entertainment analyst for the TCW Group Inc., an investment firm with $118 billion under management that is the second-largest shareholder in Pixar, after Mr. Jobs. Mr. Valencia, who doesn't have ratings on any stocks, doubts that an acquisition of Pixar makes sense, but adds: "Obviously, Jobs has some duty to shareholders -- there might be some price he couldn't turn down."

Kevin Landis, chief investment officer at Firsthand Funds in San Jose, Calif., with about $700 million in assets, echoed the view that Mr. Jobs is unlikely to relinquish the autonomy that has helped Pixar thrive. From its perch in the San Francisco Bay area, hundreds of miles from Hollywood, Pixar has stuck to the leisurely pace of releasing a new film about every 18 months, while competitors are pumping out multiple computer-animated movies a year. Pixar has said it aims to step up its production to one movie a year. But investors believe any change in ownership could force Pixar to speed up its creative output even more.

"In buying it, there's the risk you destroy what makes it special," says Mr. Landis, who estimates the fund holds about 200,000 Pixar shares. "There's no one there who needs to cash out."

Price, too, is another big potential stumbling block. Pixar shares, adjusted for a 2-for-1 stock split in April, are up 28 percent for the year, and the company's market value is prohibitively high for Disney, some analysts think.

Indeed, the gap between the market value of Pixar and its nearest rival, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., has reached a high. DreamWorks has a market value of about $2.6 billion. Part of the difference can be attributed to factors such as DreamWorks's recent problems with its "Shrek 2" DVD, but the contrast is still striking when considering that DreamWorks's two-movies-a-year release schedule gave it revenue last year of more than $1 billion, almost four times that of Pixar. The price-to-earnings ratio of Pixar, based on projected earnings for this year, is 46, considerably richer than the P/E multiple of 30 for DreamWorks, according to Thomson Financial.

Mr. Jobs began negotiating a new deal with Disney's former CEO Michael Eisner nearly two years ago, but the talks between the two executives, who had a rancorous relationship, collapsed after Mr. Jobs publicly halted the negotiations early last year.

When Mr. Eisner handed the CEO reins to his more conciliatory deputy, Mr. Iger, this year, many saw an opportunity to revive the discussions. Indeed, one of Mr. Iger's first moves as CEO was to reach out to Mr. Jobs, and the two companies have been in talks since. The two executives even struck a deal for Mr. Jobs's other company, Apple Computer Inc., to sell Disney-produced television shows, such as "Desperate Housewives," over the Internet.

Yet the Pixar-Disney discussions are taking longer than both sides expected. In a recent conference call with analysts, Mr. Jobs said he would like to reach an agreement with Disney by year end, but he said the conversations are taking longer than expected. People familiar with the talks say the two sides are still some distance apart on any agreement, and there is a strong chance the negotiations will push into next year.

Narnia Fans Invited to Review The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 

Disney Vacation Club Expedition Everest preview dates 

Alan Bergman named president of Walt Disney Studios 

Disney Announces Film Production in China 

Opera fans honored on ABC's SuperSign this New Year's Eve 

The Chronicles of Narnia McDonald's Happy Meals & Mighty Kids Meals 

Chicken Little on DVD 

Rising Tower 

Euro Disney plans reverse share split of 1-for-100 

Would C.S. Lewis Have Risked a Disney ‘Nightmare’? 

Disney's Steamboat Ventures Provides Expansion Capital to Leading Provider of Personalized Photo Gifts and Digital Photo Restorations 

Disney defends its shuttle-bus service 

Gov't in talks over Disney directors 

Burnett: Queen of this comedy 

Disney rejigs EMEA under ex-Turner exec

Narnia Fans Invited to Review The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

 

NarniaFans.com invites fans everywhere to submit their own Narnia Fan Review of Disney and Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

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From Cinematography to Direction, Liam Neeson's performance as Aslan to Georgie Henley's performance as Lucy; we want you to review 10 main categories, as well as 20+ optional questions that will rate the abilities of the cast and the crew. You will also be able to post a 5,000 character review that will be read by fellow Lewis fans around the world.

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