MickeyXtreme's News Archive November 2004

                                                       Tuesday November 30, 2004
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Disney Animator/Illustrator J. P. Miller Dies

John Parr Miller, an early animator for Walt Disney and best-selling children's books illustrator, died on Oct. 29, 2004, in Long Island, reports THE NEW YORK TIMES. He was 91 and lived in Manhasset, New York. His death was announced by his family.

J. P. Miller is best known for his work on the “Little Golden Books” line of books. His THE LITTLE RED HEN is still a perennial seller, despite being published a half a century ago.

Miller worked with a number of writers to create inventive and colorful books meant to educate, including: DO YOU KNOW COLORS? and LITTLE BUNNY FOLLOWS HIS NOSE, with text by Katherine Howard; THE SWEET SMELL OF CHRISTMAS, with Patricia M. Scarry; and THE WONDERFUL HOUSE, with Margaret Wise Brown.

Among other typical titles: LUCKY MRS. TICKLEFEATHER, MARGARET WISE BROWN'S WONDERFUL STORY BOOK, I AM A MOUSE, LITTLE TURTLE'S BIG ADVENTURE and JINGLE BELLS: A NEW STORY.

A native New Yorker, John Parr Miller found work during the Depression at Disney Studio in 1934. Prior to that he had attended Grand Central Art School for a little more than two years. In 1937 he was one of only three artists asked to start the studio's character model department. According to studio archives, he helped create the animated screen characters for Disney such as PINOCCHIO, FANTASIA and DUMBO.

He left Disney for military service in World War II, when he made training films for the Navy. After the war, Golden Books recruited him and several other Disney veterans to enliven children's books for a mass market, moving ahead of the DICK AND JANE style.

Miller continued his work as a freelance artist until about 10 years ago. Samples of his work were shown this month in a Golden Books exhibition at the Donnell Library Center opposite the Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street.

He is survived by his half brother, George E. Miller, also of Manhasset.

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Disney takes Teuton tyke TV titles
 
Germany's Disney Channel is boosting its local content through deals with Teutonic producer-distribs Constantin Film and TV-Loonland.

A multiyear agreement between Walt Disney Television Intl. Germany and Constantin will give the Mouse outlet, which is carried on digital paybox Premiere, first-run pay TV rights in Germany to up to eight of Constantin's tyke titles.

Package includes local box-office hits "My Magical Friend Sams" and "Bibi Blocksberg and the Secret of the Blue Owls" as well as upcoming pics.

The agreement expands on a deal that gave Disney first dibs on the first "Bibi Blocksberg" as well as "The Flying Classroom," both from 2002.

Disney Channel also has acquired TV-Loonland's toon series "Connie the Cow," produced by Spain's Neptuno Films. Series has sold to most major European territories.

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'Weird' Pilot in ABC Family Plan

Cable's ABC Family has ordered a comedy pilot about a mixed-up multiethnic family.

The tentatively titled "East of Normal, West of Weird" centers on a 13-year-old Chinese girl adopted by Caucasian parents -- one who is Protestant and the other Jewish -- living in New York. Nikki SooHoo stars as the teenage Becca.

The Disney-owned network also gave the go-ahead to an original film called "Pizza Wars," which puts a contemporary spin on "Romeo and Juliet" by relocating the classic tale to rival pizzerias in Verona, N.J. It is scheduled to air in the second quarter of 2005. No casting has been announced.

The projects join a rapidly growing list of original programing coming to the channel in the coming months, including the 12-episode reality series "Garden of Love in the City of Sin."

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Candace Bergen joins ‘Boston Legal’ cast

In her first series regular role since her Emmy-winning turn on CBS’ “Murphy Brown,” Candace Bergen has joined the cast of ABC’s freshman drama “Boston Legal.”

The David E. Kelley Prods. series centers on the workings of Crane, Poole & Schmidt, a high-end civil law firm.

Bergen will play the company’s name partner Shirley Schmidt. William Shatner stars as Denny Crane, while Larry Miller recurs as Edwin Poole.

“Boston Legal,” which has a full-season order, also stars James Spader, Monica Potter, Rhona Mitra, Mark Valley and Rene Auberjonois.

Meanwhile, co-star Lake Bell’s option is not expected to be picked up beyond the show’s first 13 episodes. The actress plays young attorney Sally Heep.

Bergen, who won five Emmys for her title role on “Murphy Brown,” most recently did a recurring stint on NBC’s upcoming “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.”

Her credits also include the features “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Miss Congeniality.”

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Witness deferred to Disney CEO
 
Former Walt Disney director Richard Nunis testified he deferred to CEO Michael Eisner's decision to fire Michael Ovitz as president and give him a $140 million severance.

"It was reason enough for me that the chief executive had decided he had to make a change," said Nunis, a former executive who oversaw Disney's theme parks. Nunis, who retired in 1999 after working at Disney for 44 years, was responding to questions from lawyers for Disney shareholders suing in Delaware Chancery Court to recover Ovitz's severance.

The investors' lawyers might use Nunis' Monday testimony to buttress claims that Disney's board deferred too much to Eisner on personnel matters and didn't examine whether Ovitz deserved the severance. The investors want the $140 million returned to Disney, the No. 2 U.S. media company.

"This is just the kind of testimony that a shareholders' lawyer could build his whole case on," said Robert Zito, a New York-based lawyer who defends companies in securities litigation.

The shareholders claim that some current and former Disney directors, including Nunis, should be held financially responsible for Ovitz's severance because they failed to properly oversee his hiring and firing. They're also suing Eisner and Ovitz.

In pretrial testimony, Eisner said he fired Ovitz in December 1996 after only 15 months as Disney's No. 2 because the former agent failed to make the transition to corporate executive. Ovitz is a co-founder of the Creative Artists Agency.

Ovitz testified in his deposition that he felt "betrayed" by Eisner, a friend of more than 30 years, because he didn't give Ovitz enough time to learn Disney's culture and businesses.

Nunis, who now heads a consulting business, said he agreed that Eisner didn't give Ovitz enough time to settle into Disney's No. 2 slot. Nunis did back Eisner's move to force Ovitz out.

"If you have turmoil at the top of the company, it's going to eventually permeate down through the entire organization," Nunis said.

"Had Michael tried to have Ovitz take another position in any part of the company, it would have continued to create some turmoil," he said. Nunis left the board in 1998.

Part of the reason was that Ovitz was such a divisive figure within Disney's executive ranks, Nunis said.

Nunis said that prior to Ovitz's ouster, he and other board members weren't briefed about the reasons Eisner decided to grant Ovitz a "non-fault termination" that allowed him to receive the severance.

Nunis also acknowledged that he and his colleagues didn't know specifically how much Ovitz might be entitled to under his contract. "I knew it was going to be substantial," he said in cross-examination by shareholders' lawyers.

Testifying later in the day, former Disney director Reveta Bowers said the CEO made it clear in November 1996 that Ovitz would have to go and there weren't grounds to deny him a severance. Bowers stepped down last year after shareholders complained about Eisner's domination of the board.

Eisner said Ovitz's firing was something that "needed to be done," said Bowers, the principal of the Los Angeles elementary school Eisner's three children attended.

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Lots of eyes on Disney trial

The courtroom drama of shareholders vs. Disney's battling Mikes — Michael Ovitz and Michael Eisner — has become a can't-miss reality show for entertainment industry executives.

Not that others aren't also following the Delaware business court lawsuit over the Disney board's handling of Ovitz's hiring — and his $140 million severance package.

"This is a case with tremendous importance on many levels," says Catherine Crier, a former Texas judge who is a Court TV anchor.

Other companies and law firms are tracking the 6-week-old trial in the Court of Chancery to see if the case redefines the responsibilities and rights of corporate directors in making business decisions.

Insurers are waiting to see if American International Group and other companies covering Disney directors will be on the hook if shareholders win their quest to have the severance repaid.

Shareholders want to know if their money was wasted — and if someone will pay for it.

"There are so many people who have invested their hard-earned dollars in Disney stock," Crier says. "They want to know if their interests are being taken care of, or if their money was exchanged due to some brotherly relationship between Eisner and Ovitz."

But it's in Hollywood where the tale of boardroom intrigue, lavish spending — and even a possible sexual harassment lawsuit involving top executives — has been the most compelling industry drama since, well, the last big Disney trial: Jeffrey Katzenberg's $250 million breach-of-contract lawsuit in 1999.

"It's part Shakespeare, part soap opera. It's fascinating and repellent," says former Disney executive Marty Kaplan, who now is associate dean of USC's Annenberg School for Communication.

Some who've done business with Ovitz or Eisner may be rooting for the shareholders. "Neither one of them is a very popular figure. So people are enjoying this," says Kim Masters, author of The Keys to the Kingdom: The Rise of Michael Eisner and the Fall of Everyone Else.

Many wonder if they'll pop up in testimony that already has dropped names such as Martin Scorsese, George Lucas and Jack Welch.

The case is not on live TV, though Crier says Court TV would be closely covering if its cameras were allowed in the Delaware court.

There has, however, been plenty of newspaper and TV coverage of the details.

The trial can be seen on the Web through Courtroom Connect, a company that has a deal with the state to offer live streamed video of trials, as well as documents. The $600-a-week service is aimed at law firms and interested businesses. The 50 to 60 subscribers for this trial are almost all entertainment companies and press outlets on the West and East coasts, says Michelle Beaudry, marketing manager for Courtroom Connect. For the first time, it has been allowed to offer the public a Web feed on a four-hour delay for $10 a day, which has attracted 50 to 75 subscribers.

Bernie Brillstein, the veteran manager and producer who wrote his own autobiographical exposé of Hollywood, thinks it's "sad" the trial is getting so much attention from the media and the public.

"It's the latest in somebody being disgraced in Hollywood. The so-called leaders of this town are a different animal — they're all about power and ego and fear."

Is Brillstein one of the Web subscribers? "No, I have a real life."

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The Incredibles video game brings the hit movie home in a box

The Incredibles video game is like takeout Disney-Pixar.

It's the box office hit in a box and, while rated T for Teen, it will probably entertain all ages. If you're looking for a gift for young Billy that you wouldn't mind playing yourself on Christmas Day, The Incredibles fits the bill. The THQ game, from Heavy Iron Studios for all platforms, works because it simply transfers the film to your console. Using the same stylish Pixar look, it follows the plot, allowing the gamer to play all the characters of the suburban superhero family.

The game so closely mirrors the film that it is recommended you see the movie first otherwise it will offer few surprises.

Game developers have taken the movie and filled it with puzzles, fighting and racing. Expect to do a lot of jumping and punching. Like the movie, it looks great - the screen is devoid of clutter except for a health icon disguised as The Incredibles logo in the top left corner.

Still the seamless visuals hide some occasionally finicky game play. I found some of the jumping a little dodgy at first, for example. And like the movie, adults may admire the presentation but eventually tire of the cutsey content.

But overall The Incredibles game is a classy effort, right from the word go. Take too long firing it up from the menu and Samuel L. Jackson, who provides the voice for Frozone, asks what are you waiting for.

A special PC version of the game - The Incredibles: When Danger Calls - is also available for younger players.

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Hyperion Offers Employees $5000 Toward Purchase of Fuel Efficient Cars; Drive Clean to Drive Change Initiative Aims to Help Clear the Air

Hyperion (Nasdaq:HYSL), the leading provider of Business Performance Management software, today launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to clear the air by helping its employees purchase fuel-efficient cars for their personal use. Under its Drive Clean to Drive Change initiative, Hyperion will reimburse employees US $5,000 for vehicles that achieve 45 miles per gallon or the equivalent of gasoline.

"Companies and individuals have extraordinary power to make a difference," said Godfrey Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of Hyperion, in announcing the initiative. "One of the most important steps an individual can take to improve the quality of our air is to drive a vehicle that goes further on a gallon or liter of gas. One of the most important steps a company can take is to help them."

The 45-mpg standard, which is approximately 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers, results in dramatically less carbon dioxide emissions when compared to the vast majority of gasoline-powered vehicles. The standard also is achievable by fuel-efficient vehicles using technologies such as hybrid, diesel and electric that increasingly are available in most of the countries in which Hyperion does business.

Carbon dioxide emissions from personal vehicles are a major cause of poor air quality in industrialized nations. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the United States pumps about 22 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere per person every year, with Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom each at about half that level. Switching from a car that gets 20 mpg to one that gets 45 mpg can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as three tons per person per year.

"We know we are not necessarily going to change the world through this initiative, but we aim to get people thinking about change," said Sullivan. "Drive Clean to Drive Change is not just a good thing to do. It's the right thing to do."

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'Incredibles' Soars at International Box Office

"The Incredibles" has delivered Disney's biggest single weekend ever at the international box office, taking in $45.5 million, according to data issued Sunday.

The haul outshone that of 2003's "Finding Nemo," which took in $39.1 million on a similar release pattern across 22 countries and 4,000 screens. The total for "The Incredibles" rose to almost $60 million, and is set to leap past the $100 million mark next week.

The suburban superheroes smashed records in the United Kingdom for animated pictures with a booty of $18.6 million, compared to Nemo's $12.3 million, impressive even when taking the depreciation of the U.S. dollar into account.

Close behind was France, where "The Incredibles" soared to a weekend total of $9 million. In Italy the Pixar production amassed $5.8 million, making it the biggest animation release there ever.

Other drivers from the 12 opening territories were No. 1 bows in Spain with $5.5 million, Belgium with $1.3 million and Greece, where "The Incredibles" had the highest-ever take for an animated film to date with $521,000.

Next weekend openings in Japan, Switzerland, Thailand and Argentina will make "The Incredibles" the film to beat.

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" added six territories, as its weekend estimate of $14.6 million drove the international tally to $84 million from 24 countries.

The Renee Zellweger picture opened on par with predecessor "Bridget Jones's Diary" in Mexico, grossing an estimated $375,000, No. 3 behind the opening of "Polar Express" and "Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement" in Week 2.

After two weeks at No. 1 in Australia, "Bridget" slipped to No. 2 behind the opening of "National Treasure" ($1.6 million, on par with star Nicolas Cage's "Face/Off"). Still, "Bridget" held at No. 1 in New Zealand ahead of "National Treasure."

In other holdovers, the film earned $703,000 in Spain and $2.3 million in the United Kingdom.

Weekend results for "Polar Express" amounted to about $8.2 million, thanks to openings in Japan of $1.8 million, Germany of $2 million, Mexico of $1.8 million and Brazil of $350,000.

In second-weekend holdovers, the family animated film took $711,000 in Australia (off 24%), while in New Zealand it was up 6% with a weekend estimate of $100,000.

"National Treasure" was off to a solid start, hauling $6.9 million thanks to No. 1 openings in Australia, Germany ($3.9 million), the Philippines ($525,000) and Austria ($450,000). The film performed better than other Cage starrers in most territories.

Although it lost its crown at the German and Austrian box office after four weeks on top, "Sieben Zwerge -- Manner allein in Wald" (Seven Dwarfs) remained ahead of bows for "Polar Express" and "Christmas With the Kranks" (No. 6 in Germany, No. 4 in Austria).

"Shall We Dance?" took $3.3 million for the weekend, including $251,000 from a No. 1 bow in Brazil.

"The Forgotten" spooked $3 million from 27 markets including openings in Britain of $1.1 million (No. 3) and in Holland of $230,000 (No. 4). The foreign total stands at $26.3 million.

Oliver Stone's "Alexander" opened in Taiwan with an unspectacular $1.1 million. "I Heart Huckabees" debuted disappointingly in the United Kingdom with $275,000 despite the starring role of localng role of local heartthrob Jude Law.

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A Tribute to Frank Thomas

Animation World Network has compiled the loving thoughts of many in the animation community as a tribute to the life and work of animation legend Frank Thomas.

LINK

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Narnia Artwork



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New Valiant Trailer Flies Online 

A new U.K. trailer for "Shrek" series producer John H. Williams' Valiant is now online here. The animated comedy has a release date of March 25th in the country, but likely won't be released in the U.S. by Disney until 2006.

The movie tells the story of a lowly wood pigeon named Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor), who overcomes his small size to become a hero in Great Britain's Royal Air Force Homing Pigeon Service during World War II. The RHPS advanced the Allied cause by flying vital messages about enemy movements across the English Channel, while evading brutal attacks by the enemy's Falcon brigade.

Sir Ben Kingsley, Jim Broadbent, Rupert Everett, Hugh Laurie, John Hurt, Ricky Gervais, John Cleese, Tim Curry, and Olivia Williams also voice the film.

LINK

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                                                        Monday November 29, 2004
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Disney Online Achieves Record High Visitor Count in October; Maintains Position as Number One Online Entertainment Destination for Kids and Families

Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG), retained its position as the leader in kids and family online entertainment with a record-breaking 15.8 million unique visitors in October 2004 (comScore Media Metrix). These numbers reflect an 11.3 percent increase over September and a 17 percent increase over the same time period last year.

Monthly growth was driven by women ages 35-44. Visitors in this segment increased by almost 35 percent since September. Annual growth was impacted largely by the men ages 35-44 segment which has grown by over 45 percent since October 2003.

According to data published by comScore in October, 66.6 percent of at-home visitors connected to Disney Online with a broadband connection compared to the total Internet where just under half (47.2 percent) of all at-home visitors used a broadband connection.

"Our team is very proud of this report. To them, this record says their continued focus on quality content and technology innovation has succeeded in creating a rich and interactive guest experience," stated Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online. "Kids and family audiences are becoming increasingly tech savvy and are seeking entertainment and learning content online."

About Disney Online

Disney Online (www.disney.com) produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1995, Disney.com is designed to reflect the vision of an "online theme park," providing an interactive gateway to all of the company's many Disney-branded internet initiatives. Popular Disney Online places to visit include The Disney Channel (www.disneychannel.com), Playhouse Disney (www.playhousedisney.com), shopping at Disney Direct (www.disneydirect.com), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (www.disneydestinations.com), Walt Disney Pictures (www.disneypictures.com), Disney DVD & Video (www.disneyvideos.com) and Radio Disney (www.radiodisney.com).

Among the many magical "neighborhoods" found at www.Disney.com are Disney's Toontown Online (www.toontown.com), the first 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game for kids and families, and Disney's Blast (www.disneyblast.com), a premium subscription service for kids ages 3-9. Disney Online also produces FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com), the premier online family resource for "great ideas, practical advice, and fun stuff to do" as well as Movies.com (www.movies.com), a leading site that provides a broad array of reviews and information to help movie fans "get movie night right." Disney Online is a part of The Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational services for Internet, broadband, and mobile initiatives of The Walt Disney Company.

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Ex-Disney Director Testifies on Ovitz

A former Walt Disney Co. director testified Monday that retaining ex-Disney president Michael Ovitz in another position at the entertainment giant, instead of firing him as its president in late 1996, would have had a "detrimental" effect on the company and its stock price.

Richard A. Nunis, the ex-chairman of Disney's parks and resorts and a former Disney director, said he told chief executive Michael Eisner that he fully supported the decision to fire Ovitz in a phone conversation a few days before it was announced publicly in mid-December 1996. Nunis said that phone conversation was the first time Eisner told him that Ovitz was being terminated.

Eisner previously told him that summer in a telephone conversation that Ovitz was having trouble fitting in at Disney and he was thinking about making a change, Nunis said. Rumors were rampant at the company at the time that Ovitz was having personality problems with other executives at the company, he said.

"When you have turmoil at the top of a company, it permeates down the entire organization," said Nunis, who worked 44 years at Disney before retiring in 1999.

Ovitz, Eisner and several current or former directors are being sued in the Delaware Court of Chancery over a $140 million severance package paid to Ovitz when he left Burbank, Calif.-based Disney, after 14 months as the company's president.

The shareholder derivative lawsuit, which has been in progress for more than seven years, claims Disney's board failed in its fiscal responsibilities by not properly scrutinizing Ovitz's employment contract when he joined the company in 1995 and then granting him a nonfault termination that entitled him to the massive severance package when he left in December 1996.

The shareholders claim Ovitz was ineffective in his job at Disney and could have been fired for cause for his excessive spending and habitual lying while at the company.

Reveta F. Bowers, a Disney director during Ovitz's tenure, is expected to take the stand Monday afternoon. She will be followed by Sanford M. Litvack, Disney's former chief of corporate operations and chief legal officer, on Tuesday.

On Monday, Nunis testified that he remembered the board discussing Ovitz and Barry Diller, the ex-chairman of Paramount Pictures, as possible candidates to replace former Disney president and chief operating officer Frank Wells, who died in a helicopter crash in 1994.

Nunis said he was pleased to learn from Eisner in the summer of 1995 that Disney planned to hire Ovitz as its president. Eisner telephoned him a few days before the hiring was announced publicly, Nunis said.

He believed Eisner and Ovitz - because they were close friends - would craft a business partnership similar to those of company founders Walt Disney and Roy Disney, and Eisner and Wells. He also believed Ovitz, as a former top talent agent, would attract more star power to Disney's studio operations.

Nunis said he was aware that Ovitz's compensation package was substantial when the board named Ovitz as president at a board meeting in September 1996, but didn't recall a specific discussion of Ovitz's compensation at that meeting. He said he was aware Ovitz's package included a salary, a bonus and stock options and no signing bonus.

He didn't attend an executive session where several directors have testified that Ovitz's compensation package was reviewed in detail. Nunis also didn't attend an executive session in November 1996 in which Eisner told board members that he was asking Gary Wilson, another Disney director, to speak to Ovitz about leaving the company.

Nunis said he believed it was the responsibility of Disney's compensation committee to approve Ovitz's pay package and then report those results to the full board.

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Majesco secures rights to Disney Shows for GBA games

Majesco  today announced it has secured the rights to apply its proprietary Game Boy Advance Video technology to several Disney properties

  Under terms of the agreement with Disney’s Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Majesco obtains the U.S. rights to publish four initial Game Boy Advance Video products based upon such well-known properties as Disney’s Kim Possible, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, The Series, The Proud Family, Super Robot Monkey Team and Brandy & Mr. Whiskers.  The first product, Disney Channel Collection Vol. 1, features exciting episodes of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, The Series and Kim Possible and is scheduled to ship in time for the holidays.

 

“Our partnership with Disney supports our ongoing plan to bring cool new content to the Game Boy Advance Video series,” said Jesse Sutton, president of Majesco.  “The 23 million North American Game Boy Advance owners can soon enjoy Disney’s broad offering of family entertainment on the go.”

 

“In keeping with the commitment to nurture future technologies, Buena Vista Home Entertainment is proud to partner with a prominent leader in the portable digital entertainment platform.  We look forward to seeing the opportunities this distribution avenue presents,” said Lori MacPherson, Vice President, Brand Marketing and Product Development.

 

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Disney Reaches Out to Big Holders

 

In what some outsiders are calling an unusual move, the company's board of directors is inviting major investors to a cocktail party scheduled for Wednesday evening in New York City.

The reception, hosted by what the company says are "representatives from Disney's board of directors," comes as a Delaware shareholder trial explores the degree to which Disney's board was in the loop during the company's expensive and unproductive mid-1990s employment of former agent Michael Ovitz.

The get-together also comes a few months after two disgruntled former Disney directors, Roy Disney and Stanley Gold, spearheaded a campaign to oust then-chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, along with other directors. That particular campaign -- which resulted in Eisner's replacement as chairman by George Mitchell, one of the other targeted directors -- appeared to crystallize a longstanding sense among Disney shareholders that the company's board had been too complaisant in its oversight of company management and an inadequate champion of shareholders' interests.

A Disney shareholder who received an invitation to the reception said an invitation to meet with a company's board is a rare occurrence occasionally tied to annual meetings of shareholders. To have the reception now -- nine months after the company's annual meeting -- is virtually unprecedented, said the shareholder.

Such a board-centered event was uncommon, agreed other seasoned investors.

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Get Ready to Ring in the Holidays with ``Mickey & Friends'' Plush Toys from Disney

New Plush Line Includes Disney Talking Pals, Peppermint-Scented Jingle Pals and Beanbag-Sized Plush Characters (Great Stocking Stuffers)

Families will be hitting the dance floor this holiday season with Disney's adorable "Mambo Mickey" as he dances and twists his way into their hearts. Mambo Mickey is part of a new line of adorable plush toys for kids and Disney fans of all ages, available nationwide this holiday season from Disney Consumer Products.

With nearly a dozen of Disney's beloved, cuddly characters to choose from and suggested retail prices ranging from $4.99 to $19.99, there's a Mickey & Friends plush pal for everyone. Here are a few items that will make any Disney fan happy: 

    --  Mambo Mickey: Sure to be a big hit with kids and grown-ups
        alike, this hip, tropically clad classic Disney character
        stands nearly 15 inches tall. Dance along with Mickey as he
        moves and grooves to his own special version of the popular
        tune, Mambo #5 (SRP $19.99, available at Target and The Disney
        Store).

    --  Toon Pals: Classic Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie,
        Donald and Pluto come to life in the new Toon Pals collection,
        which features a beautifully packaged gift set including a 15"
        plush character and a classic VHS tape with three
        character-specific animated Disney shorts (SRP $14.99,
        available at Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart).

    --  Disney's Jingle Pal Friends: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Donald
        Duck are dressed in festive holiday garb and make fun, jingly
        sounds. In celebration of the upcoming holiday season, they're
        scented with a touch of peppermint (SRP $5.88, available at
        Wal-Mart).

    --  Disney's Talking Pals: Standing 20" tall, these smartly-clad
        Mickey, Minnie and Goofy plush characters say three fun
        phrases each when you press their hands. Hear phrases like,
        "Gosh, I sure do love ya, pal!" from Mickey and "Gawrsh, I
        think you're the bestest friend ever!" from Goofy (SRP $12.88,
        available at WalMart).

    --  Disney Storytellers: For families that love reading together,
        Disney Storytellers make wonderful gifts. Characters like
        Dumbo and Bambi (9" size plush) are packaged with "early
        reader" storybooks for beginners -- great for parents and
        caregivers who are teaching children to read (SRP $9.99,
        available at Kmart).

    --  Mickey's Sing & Share Friends: A sweet plush package features
        a 22" Mickey or Minnie and a music CD with six classic Disney
        tunes for families to sing and enjoy together (SRP $19.99,
        available at Costco).

There are several additional soft, luxurious plush items varying in size and price range that are sure to please anyone on your gift list, with characters ranging from 7" beanbag-size, which make great stocking stuffers (SRP $4.99), to 16" tall Mickey and Minnie plush pals (SRP $9.99).

All products will be available nationwide at major retailers like WalMart, Target, Toys 'R' Us, Wal-Mart and Kmart. Please visit www.disney.com/toys for additional information, including images and retail availability.

"Mickey Mouse and his friends are among the greatest, most beloved cartoon characters of all time," said Joe Lawandus, vice president, Disney Toys. "The Mambo Mickey is spirited and fun; the Toon Pals with animated shorts are wonderful and nostalgic. We encourage parents and grandparents to share their love of these charming characters with their own children."

About Disney Consumer Products

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books to interactive games, food and beverages, electronics and animation art. This is accomplished through the work of DCP's various lines of business: Disney Toys, Disney Softlines, Disney Hardlines, Disney Publishing, Buena Vista Games and Baby Einstein. The Disney Store, which debuted in 1987, also falls under DCP, through licensing agreements for the stores in North America and Japan and wholly owned stores in Europe.

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Disney TV to be re-launched in Dec

Walt Disney Television has signed a distribution deal with News Corp.'s STAR Group for India as it prepares to launch a second time around in the world's third-biggest cable television market.

The deal, finalised last week, covers the Disney Channel and the Toon Disney Channel, which will launch on December 17. Neither firm would say how many years the agreement was for, but it would be revisited should Disney launch more channels in India.

Disney had previously aired on Indian television with Modi Enterprises, but the local joint venture ended in 2003 before Disney launched a fully-owned Indian subsidiary.

"The strength of the Disney brand will give us incredible strength in marketing the channels and attracting more viewers," STAR chief executive Michelle Guthrie said in a statement.

STAR, India's most widely viewed network, also has a five-year deal to distribute a new live action kids channel from UTV Software Communications, which plans to raise up to Rs 100 crore from an upcoming initial public offering.

Until UTV's Hungama channel came on board, STAR did not have a kids entertainment channel, unlike rivals Zee Telefilms, which distributes Time Warner's Turner, and Sony Entertainment.

Turner's Cartoon Network gets the lion's share of advertising spending in the kids segment, while Turner's Pogo, Viacom's Nickelodeon and Sony's Animax also compete.

India has more than 48 million cable homes. Kids programming gets less than a two per cent share of an estimated Rs 4,300-crore TV advertising market, but it is expected to grow quickly on the back of robust demand from advertisers. 

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Buzz words: Disney readying 'Toy Story 3'

Walt Disney Studios is moving ahead with its long-in-discussion sequel to Pixar Animation's two "Toy Story" movies, a move that could bring Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the gang back to the big screen.

Disney is in the process of setting up a digital animation facility in Glendale, not all that far from DreamWorks Animation's digs, that will be used for the production of "Toy Story 3."

Although over the past year Disney chairman Michael Eisner and studio head Dick Cook have signaled their determination to embark on a "Toy Story" sequel, the fact that the studio is now actively beginning that process could make it more difficult for it to resume negotiations with Pixar CEO Steve Jobs to extend Pixar's relationship with Disney.

The current Pixar/Disney deal expires next year with the release of John Lasseter's "Cars." Lasseter directed the two "Toy Story" films and "A Bug's Life." 

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Resort to Epcot

With so many great resorts at Walt Disney World, it can be difficult to choose which is right for your meeting or event.

You can't go wrong if you check out the Epcot resort area, primarily because the location is terrific. It includes the Yacht & Beach Club and Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Inn, and the Dolphin and the Swan. But the best part about the enclave is its distinctly grown-up flavor: It offers some of the finest dining at Disney, as well as music and entertainment options that meeting-goers will appreciate in the evenings. Plus, its medium size gives your meeting a more-than-manageable feeling.

A canal links the resorts to Epcot and MGM Studios, and therefore ferry boats or walkways are the best ways to reach Epcot's back door — the World Showcase — another decidedly grown-up entertainment and dining venue at Walt Disney World.

Disney's 372-room Boardwalk Inn has a 20,000-square-foot conference center and is fronted by an authentic wooden-planked boardwalk. Evening strolls can encompass simple pleasures such as playing arcade games or enjoying Italian ice, or some later-night options might take attendees to the ESPN Club or four clubs and lounges, including Jellyrolls, which offers dueling pianos.

The Yacht & Beach Club Resorts combine for a total of 1,267 rooms and 73,000 square feet of convention space.

The Starwood-managed Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels expanded their meeting space last year, and now offer more than 329,000 square feet of meeting space, which features 84 meeting rooms. The Dolphin now has 110,500 square feet of contiguous indoor exhibit space.

Delegates will appreciate the Westin Heavenly Bed at the Swan, and high-speed Internet service from guest rooms in both hotels. At the Dolphin, groups can now enjoy a new dining option: bluezoo by celebrity chef Todd English. Your attendees will not be disappointed! And a new spa will open in 2005.

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Video game creator plans to adapt 'Oz' to big screen

The relationship between Jerry Bruckheimer and video game creator American McGee grew even closer with the news that McGee will write the script for the film adaptation of his video game "Oz."

Bruckheimer has the option for a trilogy of Walt Disney Co. films based on the property, which is a prequel to the classic L. Frank Baum book "The Wizard of Oz."

McGee said the hero of the story, a teenage boy named Arthur, is whisked away from Earth to an Oz in turmoil. "Like Neo in 'The Matrix' films, the boy makes a hero's journey and comes to grips with his powers," he said. "What Jerry Bruckheimer was able to do with 'Pirates of the Caribbean' was simply brilliant, and since 'Oz' is similar in tone to that film franchise, I'd like to follow that model."

McGee will write the script for the first film and an outline for its two sequels, which will conclude with the land of Oz returned to its condition as fans of the book and the popular MGM movie know it. While this will be McGee's first commissioned Hollywood script, he's very familiar with the material. He and writer Camden Joy already have completed a generously illustrated 500-page novelization of the game, which Warner Books is on board to publish.

"People always talk about games being nonlinear, but a video game story does follow a linear structure, it's just broken into 40 acts instead of three," McGee said. "The nice thing about the Hollywood film style is that I can explore multiple character perspectives, whereas game stories are limited to one perspective for game play."

This marks the second time that Bruckheimer has enlisted a video game creator to write the film adaptation of his game; Jordan Mechner is turning his "Prince of Persia" game into a big-screen feature.

As part of the "Oz" activity, McGee's video game is being revived after Infogrames (now Atari) dropped its option during a cost-cutting sweep.

McGee said a new line of "Oz" action figures also will be released next year through a new manufacturer, the original line from Milos Workshop having sold well with limited distribution.

But "Oz" is just one of McGee's current projects. Enlight Interactive recently shipped "American McGee's Scrapland" for PC, and it will hit Xbox early next year. McGee called the game a "a film-noir murder mystery set in a world full of robots" and said he is shopping the film rights.

"The Forgotten Faery Tale" is up next. McGee has completed a movie script that follows the story of Grimm, a teenage boy who tries to bring balance to a world that has too many happy endings. McGee said that like "Shrek," the central live action story will have familiar fairy tales as a backdrop.

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This Justin: Newcomer's really a 'Treasure'

Whenever moviegoers exit the theater wondering, "Who is that guy?" it's a good indication a major career is about to be launched.

Consider Justin Bartha, who manages to steal Disney's "National Treasure" from Nicolas Cage.

Bartha, 26, is also funny without a script. That helped during a recent press conference and - even better - on the set of "National Treasure," where he often improvised his laugh-getting wisecracks.

Asked which lines were his, Bartha answered, "Most of them. I pretty much wrote the entire script. Print that, please."

Complimented on his chemistry with Cage, Bartha acted blase. "Oh, yeah. Nic looks up to me. He does. And that comes across on screen, I think."

Sure, he's joking, but because "National Treasure" is a Jerry Bruckheimer production, the movie really was written and rewritten as it was filmed.

Bartha is old enough to know his best-friend character is hardly original. "You might have seen him already in maybe 20 movies," he said. "My job is to try and create a new and fresh idea for him. Basically, I came up with an idea where I make this guy the audience. It's, 'What if he was sitting in the audience and someone picked him up and threw him into the screen like in "Purple Rose of Cairo"? ' He reacted in a realistic and humorous manner to the sometimes ridiculous things happening around him.

"I also wanted to make him a bit of a wild man in the sense of, 'What if he was stuck in a cubicle for his entire life?' He got hired by the NSA when he was 14 as a computer expert and he's just been in a tiny little cubicle making computer models. Then someone finally comes and gives him a chance to go on an adventure, and I think that everyone can identify with that. Most people work in a cubicle for their entire life. So I wanted to make him like a mouse in a cage, and you release him and you have to find that cheese."

Bartha hails from the Detroit area. "When I was very young, I wanted to be a baseball player and maybe a basketball player, but I'm not very tall. I broke my wrist trying out for the tennis team and started doing theater when I was 15. I never turned back after that. I never knew anything about Hollywood, didn't have any connections in Hollywood, I just loved acting."

He wrote, directed and produced an MTV pilot, directed a short film and even survived "Gigli," the Bennifer fiasco. He loves New York and single women.

"I'm always looking for the ladies," he said.

Was he nervous working with the Oscar-winning Cage?

Without cracking a smile, Bartha said, "Look, obviously he was nervous about working with me. No! Listen, basically, I'm a no-one from New York, an actor just starting his career, and I'm going to work on this Bruckheimer movie with one of the greatest film actors that there is, in my opinion and in most people's opinion. Right away I know that these guys are best friends in the movie, and I have to form some kind of relationship with him - right away, off the set. So we bonded with our sense of humor. He's a very funny guy."

Bartha visited Cage in New Orleans, where they hung out in karaoke bars.

"His house is supposed to be haunted and he enjoys that kind of culture quite a bit and I'm interested in it also. But I'm not going to go into the personal information," Bartha added, showing he's quickly learning his way around Hollywood.

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Collectors believe in Tinker Bell

In the original stage production of James M. Barrie's play "Peter Pan," the character of Tinker Bell was represented by a moving spot of light.

It took the folks at Walt Disney Studios to transform her into a nubile sprite, one that would enchant generations of children.

Not only in the animated film, but later on the television screen, Tinker Bell was used to introduce the studio's long-running series, and she was an important presence at the Disneyland theme park.

Sir James Barrie's play had been a holiday standard for children from the time it premiered in 1904. Although Disney acquired the rights to the classic fantasy as far back as 1939, the film was not completed and released until 1953.

The animation of the fairy character, who tries to protect Peter Pan, was entrusted to Marc Davis, one of Disney's legendary "Nine Old Men." It was an enchanting creation. Tinker Bell was the pixie who glowed like a firefly, leaving a trail of pixie dust behind her as she flitted about like a hummingbird, helping Peter Pan teach the Darling children to fly and speak with the sound of bells.

For years, the rumor was circulated and published that Tinker Bell was modeled after Marilyn Monroe. A nice thought, but Disney archivist David Smith, and others, have set the record straight, asserting that the model was actually an actress named Margaret Kerry. She posed for inspirational live-action footage along with other actors.

Unfortunately, there were many critics who felt that Tinker Bell should never have been given human form at all.

From the beginning of the Disneyland television shows, Tinker Bell has been identified with Sleeping Beauty's Castle, darting around its opening fireworks with a wave of her wand.

In 1961, that image became even more pervasive, as every summer evening she would fly about the castle, heralding the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks display.

For anyone interested in Tinker Bell (yes, it is two words – Barrie referred to her as Miss Bell) collectibles, there is a plethora of material. In fact, she had several namesake toy emporia named in her honor over the years.

First, there was the Fantasyland Tinker Bell Toy Shop that opened in Disneyland in 1957. A similar shop opened in the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland area at Walt Disney World from 1971, becoming Tinker Bell's Treasures in 1992. Yet another in the Tokyo Disneyland in 1983.

Among the higher-ticket items worth searching for, some recently made, but almost certain to increase in value, are a 25-inch bronzed figure depicting Tinker Bell struggling to get through the keyhole in Wendy's dresser drawer. There is also an increasingly rare Llandro ceramic figurine, made in a limited edition of 1500 and sold only at Disneyland.

Of course, animation art is one of the key categories. A good deal of "Peter Pan" material is in circulation, including some very fine setups of one or more painted cels overlaid on a background.

Original animation drawings are in great demand, as are painted background artwork and individual cels, a number of which were sold for a pittance at Disneyland when it first opened.

Many of these had photographic or lithographic backgrounds, and so may not be production originals. Buyer beware.

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Chernin's New Contract Could Pave Way for Disney Move

Reviving industry talk that Peter Chernin could succeed Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner, News Corp. has disclosed that its president and chief operating officer is not subject to any noncompete clauses.

Chernin must give six months' notice if he wants to leave his post early to become CEO elsewhere but only if that company is privately held, according to details of a new five-year employment contract that he signed this summer and which were made public for the first time last week. This would free him to jump to a publicly traded competitor very quickly.

The new contract, which took effect Aug. 1 and runs through 2009, guarantees Chernin a salary of $3.8 million a year with the opportunity to earn up to $25 million in bonuses that are tied to News Corp.'s financial performance. Chernin also is entitled to a cash payment of $40 million if he is terminated without cause.

Chernin has been News Corp.'s most highly paid executive. Under his old contract, he earned $17.3 million in total compensation last year. Despite the conglomerate's improved profitability, that figure was below the $17.9 million he made in 2002.

Because of his track record and industry reputation, Chernin's name has long been bandied about whenever industry insiders discuss Disney's future. Disney's board said in September that it wants to find a replacement by June for 20-year CEO Eisner, whose contract expires in 2006.

Disney chairman George Mitchell recently said the company's board does not plan to discuss possible candidates in public as it is best to conduct the search "without periodic public announcements."

Current Disney president Bob Iger is the only internal candidate and is widely considered a front-runner. Former Viacom Inc. president Mel Karmazin, whose name also had been mentioned frequently for the Disney post, recently took the CEO reins at Sirius Satellite Radio. He had previously expressed little interest in the Disney job.

Industry insiders have said Chernin's experience makes him a strong contender for the Disney slot, but they have cautioned that he has felt very comfortable at News Corp. and had a strong relationship with chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch.

"Across the board, this organization has the most talented, creative and aggressive management team in the business, and I consider myself privileged to collaborate with them day in and day out," Chernin said in a statement when News Corp. unveiled his contract extension this summer.

He added that he is "enormously fortunate to have worked side by side with Rupert as News Corp. has become a global media company that today is without peer, and I look forward to building on our successes over the next several years."

Many also are questioning whether Chernin would get comparable pay at Disney. Eisner's pay package for fiscal 2003 amounted to $7.3 million, according to a regulatory filing at the beginning of the year.

Also in a regulatory filing last week, News Corp. confirmed that its board recently affirmed a poison pill provision that will for at least one year make it more difficult for anyone to take control of the conglomerate. The provision came in response to a recent move by John Malone's Liberty Media to raise its voting stake in News Corp.

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Mouse is in the house

Seemingly endless lines were everywhere. Rides were breaking down left and right, and sections had to be closed down because of a gas leak. Vendors started to run out of food. On top of that, the California sun was so hot that women's shoes were sinking into the asphalt on Main Street.

It was July 17, 1955 and Disneyland had opened its doors for the very first time. Things seemed to go so wrong that day that it came to be known as "Black Sunday."

But Doug Rochelle loved every minute of it.

"It was wonderful," Rochelle said. "I was just so excited."

Disney opened the park that day with these words: "To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past ... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts which have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

Rochelle took those words to heart and never looked back, and the Kinston man's love of all things Disney has grown today into what he says borders on obsession.

From that first look into Walt Disney's dream all those years ago, Rochelle has spent a considerable amount of time and resources into amassing all things Disney. It's a hobby he loves to share with the world.

Earlier this month, Rochelle threw a birthday party for a friend of his who has managed to maintain his youthful looks despite reaching the ripe old age of 76.

Mickey Mouse, the one who started it all, could be found in just about every nook and cranny of Rochelle's office, Quixote Travels, along with most of his friends.

Pictures, posters, statuettes and a hundred other pieces of Disney memorabilia filled the room to the point where it almost looked like a gift shop at the Magic Kingdom. From the Mickey Mouse Club song lyrics to original artwork signed by Disney animators, the office stood as a tribute to Walt Disney's legacy.

"I just like the idea of what Walt started," Rochelle said. "It's made so many children happy and they really are our future."

Even so, Rochelle said he gets excited every time he gets a new toy. He pointed to one of his latest acquisitions, an extremely detailed replica of Cinderella's pumpkin coach complete with reins made from gold.

"Walt himself inspired me," Rochelle said. "He was true leader."

Rochelle was even arranging special deals for Mickey's special day to people wanting to make the trip down to Orlando, the crown jewel of Disney's theme park world. Others who had already made the trip were smiling from more than a dozen photos sent in from their trip to Disney World, obligatory mouse ears included.

He sports a round badge with his name on it, similar to those worn by Disney World's employees.

"I always wanted to work for Disney," Rochelle said. He even had an interview once. "But they wouldn't hire me at the time because they didn't allow employees to wear beards," Rochelle said, putting a hand on to his own crop of facial hair. "I love Disney, but I don't want to shave my beard."

Despite the Disney-decorated walls and tables in every direction, those who know Rochelle said the display was nothing compared to his house.

"This is just a small part of my collection," Rochelle said. "I have to find places to keep it all."

Rochelle has loved Disney most of life, and today he enjoys sharing that love with his grandson. Still, there are a few toys he keeps for himself.

"He would love to play with all of my toys," Rochelle said with a laugh.

He talks of Disney's creations as if they were old friends, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and all. And as far as Rochelle is concerned, they are.

But does he have a favorite?

"That's hard," Rochelle said. "It depends on what the newest is."

But there's definitely a favorite Disney movie in Rochelle's collection.

"Peter Pan," Rochelle said laughing. "I don't want to grow up."

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Shoot for the Space - with Light

Disneyland Paris - Guests boarding the trains of Space Mountain till mid-January are shot into the sky by the Columbiad Canon aiming for the moon ... as of April the target will be even further away in the depths of space - a super nova which will replace the moon as the projection effect at the top of the lift hill inside the mountain, and which therefore the trains will never reach as they slow down and then turn around to the right dropping into a black hole instead. But you all know the storyline of Space Mountain Mission 2 already, don't You? But what is brand new is a strong yellow light canon that got installed at the top of Space Mountain recently now beaming it's bright ray into the night sky as if shining out of the canon illuminating the way the trains would take if really shot out of the canon's top. This is on top of another new light effect introduced earlier this fall since when the lighting around the top of Space Mountain flickers when ever a train is shot out of the canon to emphasize this (for the riders) dramatic moment.

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Don't Hang the Disney Board Just Yet

Backstabbing, mutual deception and extravagant transfers of wealth. Add a larger-than-life cast of characters, and the Disney shareholder lawsuit now unfolding in Delaware Chancery Court comes as close as corporate law can to an overblown Italian opera.

We should not, however, let the melodrama obscure the tremendous implications for all corporations if the court holds that the Disney board wrongly approved Michael Ovitz's $140-million severance package.

Many observers see the case as a trial over whether Disney board members made a stupid decision. And it certainly seems they did. First, they followed the advice of Disney's imperial CEO, Michael Eisner, and hired Ovitz — once known as "the most powerful man in Hollywood" — as Disney's president and Eisner's heir apparent. Then, 14 months later, the board fired him, again at Eisner's behest. But because the board did not fire Ovitz for gross dereliction of duty or illegal behavior — "cause" — Ovitz was entitled to a $140-million consolation prize under the terms of his contract. It is this payout that prompted the lawsuit accusing Disney's board (which included Ovitz and Eisner) of breaching their fiduciary duties.

The case seems easy. The Disney board made a huge and costly mistake. It should be held liable. Shareholders should be made whole. Right?

Wrong. The Disney case is a hard one, due to a basic doctrine of corporate law called the business judgment rule. This rule allows disinterested corporate directors to make foolish, even disastrous, decisions without being second-guessed by courts, so long as their process was reasonable and their decision "informed." The rule says, in effect, that it is the process, not the outcome, that matters.

This makes sense for several reasons. First, the business world is complex, fluid and risky. Even the most dedicated board will occasionally make decisions that don't pan out. Second, it can be hard for observers outside a firm — shareholders, judges or juries — to understand the many factors and considerations that go into a business decision.

The Disney case illustrates the perils of passing judgment from a distance and in hindsight. Ovitz's $140-million severance package seems obviously excessive. But Ovitz was earning tens of millions of dollars annually at Creative Artists Agency before Eisner approached him. Moving to Disney required him to take a huge risk. After Ovitz left Disney, his career was a shambles. From this perspective, the severance package no longer seems so outrageous.

Courts historically have focused on process in judging the actions of disinterested corporate board members — even when their decisions proved unwise, and even in cases, like Disney, where some of the personalities involved seemed unsavory. If the courts tried instead to evaluate substance, two predictable results would follow.

First, if the members of Disney's board are held personally liable, as the lawsuit seeks, it will become more difficult to get good people to serve as directors. The typical corporate director is paid an annual fee that can be measured in thousands of dollars. In contrast, an unlucky business decision can cost hundreds of millions, even billions, of dollars. The prospect of catastrophic personal liability would discourage all but the most wealthy (or most foolish) from serving as outside directors of large firms.

Second, people who serve on boards will become reluctant to take even minor business risks. Like jack rabbits caught in headlights, they are likely to freeze. Such directors can't do a good job for their shareholders or their firms.

Eisner's heavy-handed CEO style has caused Disney to become something of a poster child for poor corporate governance. But because so many large corporations are incorporated in Delaware, it is important to remember that the decision in this case will apply not only to Disney but to thousands of other companies as well. For the sake of these other companies, if the Delaware court decides to hang the Disney directors, it should hang them for process — not for poor results or difficult personalities.

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                                                      Sunday November 28, 2004
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'National Treasure' Retains No. 1 Spot
 
"National Treasure" continued to strike box-office gold, taking in $33.1 million from Friday to Sunday to retain the No. 1 slot over the busy Thanksgiving weekend.

"The Incredibles" remained in second place with $24.1 million, while Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis' holiday comedy "Christmas With the Kranks" debuted at No. 3 with $22.7 million over the three-day weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Premiering Wednesday, "Christmas With the Kranks" took in $32 million over the five-day holiday period.

The weekend's other new wide release, Oliver Stone's historical epic "Alexander," had a so-so debut of $13.4 million, coming in sixth behind two holdovers, "The Polar Express" (No. 4 with $20.1 million) and "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" (No. 5 with $17.8 million).

Since debuting Wednesday, "Alexander" grossed $21.6 million.

In limited release, the French-language film "A Very Long Engagement" opened strongly with $106,000 in four theaters. A love story set in World War I and its aftermath, the film stars Audrey Tautou, reuniting with her "Amelie" director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

It was a healthy holiday for Hollywood, with the top 12 movies grossing $215 million from Wednesday to Sunday, the second-best Thanksgiving period ever behind 2000's haul of $232.2 million.

With "National Treasure" and "The Incredibles," distributor Disney had the top two films over one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year. The one-two punch has helped lift Disney from a box-office slump that lasted most of 2004, with such duds as "The Alamo," "Around the World in 80 Days" and "King Arthur."

Starring Nicolas Cage as an adventurer who steals the Declaration of Independence to uncover clues to a hidden fortune, "National Treasure" raised its 10-day total to $87.9 million.

The cartoon superhero tale "The Incredibles," from "Finding Nemo" creator Pixar Animation, pushed its total since debuting Nov. 5 to $214.7 million, the fifth movie released in 2004 to top $200 million.

Action-packed but carrying family-friendly PG ratings, "National Treasure" and "The Incredibles" have drawn broad audiences.

"`National Treasure' is a blessed movie. It plays matinees loaded with kids and families, and evenings just loaded with adults," said Disney head of distribution Chuck Viane. "It happened with 'The Incredibles' in the same exact way."

With six of the top 10 movies rated PG or G, competition for the family crowd was fierce, but the movies all managed to find a solid slice of the audience.

"Christmas With the Kranks" succeeded despite poor reviews, and distributor Sony and producer Revolution Studios expect its holiday theme will sustain the movie through the end of the year.

The movie benefited from the family appeal of Allen, who starred in the holiday hit "The Santa Clause" and its sequel, and Curtis, fresh off last year's comic romp "Freaky Friday."

"Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are the poster adults for children's movies," said Tom Sherak, a partner in Revolution Studios, whose founder, Joe Roth, directed "Christmas With the Kranks." The movie is based on John Grisham's novel "Skipping Christmas."

"Alexander," starring Colin Farrell as the Greek conqueror, also got bad reviews, but the R-rated movie served as counterprogramming over a weekend dominated by family flicks.

"We're certainly different than any other movie out there," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., which released "Alexander."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "National Treasure," $33.1 million.

2. "The Incredibles," $24.1 million.

3. "Christmas With the Kranks," $22.7 million.

4. "The Polar Express," $20.1 million.

5. "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," $17.8 million.

6. "Alexander," $13.4 million.

7. "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," $6.8 million.

8. "Finding Neverland," $4.7 million.

9. "Ray, $3.9 million.

10. "After the Sunset," $3.3 million.

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Glaring problem for Disney Hall

The mirrorlike, curving steel walls of the Walt Disney Concert Hall may soon lose some of their luster.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering whether to sandblast portions of the walls to reduce glare that has been blamed for blinding drivers and increasing heat in neighboring buildings.

"It does get really, really warm in the summer," said Susan Yokoyama, co-owner of a video store near the hall. "It's like sitting in a sauna."

A gray mesh fabric was placed over one curved tower across from the condominium unit as an interim solution.

The Disney family contributed more than $100 million to build the concert hall, which houses the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The mirrorlike, curving steel walls of the Walt Disney Concert Hall may soon lose some of their luster.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering whether to sandblast portions of the walls to reduce glare that has been blamed for blinding drivers and increasing heat in neighboring buildings.

"It does get really, really warm in the summer," said Susan Yokoyama, co-owner of a video store near the hall. "It's like sitting in a sauna."

A gray mesh fabric was placed over one curved tower across from the condominium unit as an interim solution.

The Disney family contributed more than $100 million to build the concert hall, which houses the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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Disney World toasts the holidays

OK, so you may not need hot chocolate to warm up, and there won't be any snow. But the holiday season at Walt Disney World does include tree-lightings, wreaths, bells and Santas - not to mention Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Until Sunday, Jan. 2, you'll find the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights - not Ozzy Osbourne, but Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock, Ark., businessman whose display of 3 million lights at Christmas caused so much trouble his neighbors took him to court. The extravaganza now resides at Disney-MGM Studios

Kwanzaa and Hanukkah exhibits can be found at Epcot's American Adventure pavilion.

At the Magic Kingdom, little ones will enjoy Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and at Animal Kingdom, there's Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade.

Call 407-934-7639 or click on "Holiday events" at disneyworld.disney.go.com

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Big-Budget Film Stunts Shine as 'Lights, Motors, Action!' Revs Up Its Engines for May 2005 Debut

High-octane energy explodes on one of the largest stages at Walt Disney World Resort beginning in May 2005 as the Disneyland Resort Paris-inspired "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" blazes into Disney-MGM Studios.

Featuring high-flying, gravity-defying automobile, motorcycle and high-speed watercraft stunts, the turbo-powered stage show will immerse park guests in the thrill-a-minute world of big-budget movie stunts.

"Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" is inspired by a similar high-revving show at Disneyland Resort Paris. It's one of several high-profile attractions being imported to Walt Disney World Resort from Disney theme parks around the world in 2005 as the Florida Vacation Kingdom honors "The Happiest Celebration on Earth," a global salute to the 50th anniversary of California's Disneyland Resort.

When it opens, a cast of more than 50 will thrill audiences with pulse-pounding chases featuring automobiles, motorcycles and watercraft. Customized and modified, these vehicles will be piloted by a group of trained drivers throughout the show.

The arena for "Lights, Motors, Action!" -- a 177,000-square-foot facility featuring a Mediterranean village set -- is one of the Florida Vacation Kingdom's largest "stages," allowing stunt drivers to pack more edge-of-your-seat action into the show including high-speed spins, two-wheeled driving, jumps, pyrotechnic explosions, high falls and plenty of surprises created just as they are performed for the silver screen. The 5,000-seat stadium allows guests to see every inch of the non-stop action.

The premise of "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" centers around the filming of a spy thriller, with production crew members, stunt managers and a director and assistant director on the "live" set. Using a Tinseltown trick known as shooting "out-of-sequence," the director sets up the different stunts for the audience. After each scene is "filmed," the director then combines the shots to create the completed scene that is played on a giant video wall for the audience.

Other highlights and fast facts of "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show":

  • Construction on the stunt arena began in February 2003. It features a Mediterranean village façade, stunt ramps, pyrotechnic equipment and a man-made canal.
  • Audiences will enter through the garage -- or atelier -- as mechanics and technicians finely tune the show vehicles. Six giant windows offer guests behind-the-scenes views. The show will feature more than 40 vehicles on stage and inside the garage area.
  • Each vehicle is highly modified to perform the many extreme stunts.
  • Vehicles featured include high-performance automobiles, motorcycles and stunt watercraft. Also, "surprise vehicles," including one designed to drive backwards and another designed to split in half.
  • Vehicles are designated by color so the audience will always know which is the "hero" vehicle and which is the "chase" vehicle.
  • Meticulous planning, practice and timing are dedicated to each stunt. Because of the choreography involved, crew members liken it to a "ballet on wheels."

"Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" is just one part of "The Happiest Celebration on Earth," an 18-month gala that pays tribute to the 1955 opening of Disney's flagship park, Disneyland.

The celebration, which begins May 5, 2005, will take place in all the Disney theme parks around the world with the premiere of new shows and attractions.

Disney parks in every corner of the world -- Disneyland Resort in California; Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan; Disneyland Resort Paris in France; and Hong Kong Disneyland -- are "sharing" the best of each park with the rest of the world.

The stunt show is being imported from Disneyland Resort Paris where it thrills guests under the name "Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular."

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Yuletide Time To Let Your Lights Shine

Anyone considering a minilight explosion to brighten up his or her corner of the yuletide season should consider an after- sunset visit to the Disney-MGM Studios theme park. Once there, the intrepid outdoor decorator should head briskly down Hollywood Boulevard, past the Great Movie Ride, past the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, past Star Tours, around Muppet Vision 3-D and straight to the Streets of America back lot cityscape.

Prepare to be amazed.

Having cannibalized the studios' old residential back lot on behalf of a future stunt show - after all, how many times does anyone have to see the facade of Dorothy's house from ``The Golden Girls''? - the Disney folks moved the annual ``Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights'' to the adjacent city street scene, a '30s and '40s Hollywood Golden Era melding of New York, Chicago and San Francisco.

These days, it's all draped in Jennings Osborne's legendary and formerly controversial Christmas lights, numbering in the millions and measured by the mile. Once the source of community bickering and a legal injunction back home in Little Rock, Ark., the good businessman's unearthly display gets a proper showing on false fronts at a park devoted to fantasy.

Now, while the effect of brick walls shimmering in the night is mesmerizing, there are at least two reasons for neighborhood Clark Griswolds to experience Disney- MGM's blazing electrical show.

First: Inspiration abounds. Careful inspection of Disney techniques reveals methodology easily transported to the typical suburban front yard. Got a bicycle the kids don't ride anymore? Lace minilights through the spokes. Want a glitzy Florida look? Outline the grill and some old outdoor folding chairs, and park a flamingo nearby.

Indeed, keep this in mind: There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that doesn't look fun and festive outlined in minilights or rope lights.

Excessive Is As Excessive Does

More important, however, is Reason No. 2: Having toured the Osborne lights extravaganza, the suburban decorator is insulated against derisive comments by his or her neighbors. So what if you drape your house, shrubbery and trees in 30,000 lights. So you blew your year-end bonus on an inflatable Santa and snowman so big they can be seen from jets headed to Miami. So your whole layout is hooked to a sound-sensitive digital controller that produces a light show in rhythm to ``Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.''

So what? Tell them, ``You think this is excessive? You should see what Jennings Osborne did at Disney World,'' and go right on winding lights around the tire swing you hung just for the holidays.

Now is not a time for bashfulness. December is when, by lighting your house or mobile home or RV or apartment balcony, you let your inner artist shine.

A Folk Art Tradition

Christina Patoski, a freelance photographer whose pictures of light displays were collected in the 1994 book, ``Merry Christmas America: A Front Yard View of the Holidays,'' has concluded that yuletide decorating is authentic American folk art, as legitimate as quilting and as enduring as square dancing.

So take heart, you with your tubs of tangled light strings and staple gun at the ready. You are part of a grand American tradition. And if you get ribbed about your electric bill, you must be doing it right.

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Hi ho, it's off to Disney we go

ON Main Street, USA at Disneyland Resort Paris the Christmas season has been in full flow for several weeks now, with three daily sprinklings of "snow". You can be whisked off from Waterloo at breakfast time and enjoying lunch along with Mickey and pals less than three hours later. Which is why it's a perfect for a weekend break with the kids in the gloomy days during the run-up to Christmas.

At the Hotel New York, Nat King Cole croons away in the lifts as skaters waltz around the outdoor ice rink. But the showpiece occasion remains the Main Street Parade, with Mickey and Minnie leading off a whole host of characters in Christmas costume, toy soldiers bringing up the rear, stomping their boots in perfect co-ordination.

Yes, it's corny, but it's a must-see. My six-year-old son Matthew usually gives such events a wide berth, but was completely transfixed. I hadn't come across anything like it since I went scrambling for a decent view at Liverpool FC's Kop end in the 1970s.

Then there was the small matter of the rides. The Studio Tram Tour particularly impressed Matthew. It's supposed to be a Universal Studio-style ride around "movie backlots", on a short film narrated by Jeremy Irons that is screened aboard the tram.

Anyone who hasn't already twigged that we are not on an actual studio lot should get the idea when Irons says tongue in cheek that we are going to learn about movie lore: "the magic, the mayhem, and the mochas" (he takes a swig from a takeaway coffee container) . . .

The tram stops at "Catastrophe Canyon", an oil well "set", and is rocked around while a tanker bursts into flames (and you can feel the heat on your face from your tram seat), which is then extinguished by a huge flood.

We then moved on to an impressively realistic mock-up of a disaster zone outside a Central London Tube station which has been overrun by dragons. Also in the Studios is the Aerosmith Rock n' Roller coaster, which I wrongly assumed would be relatively tame. It immediately became apparent I was quite wrong as we went hurtling off into the darkness to be tossed around in a series of gravity-defying, eye-watering loops to a soundtrack of the veteran rockers' greatest hits. Walk this way? By the finish I was staggering. Matthew, however, was exhilarated.

He was ready for more, but in the main park at Frontierland, hopes of being spooked at the Haunted House were a bit of a letdown — nothing more terrifying than laughing skeletons and a few bony hands reaching out of coffins.

Some of the better rides have the Fastpass option: you go to a special machine and put in your entry ticket and are given a time slot to return to the ride. When the time comes, you go in a Fastpass entrance and usually you are on the ride in moments. Having spent an hour waiting to board Big Thunder Mountain, I learnt the hard way.

Saving the popular rides until near closing time is another way to avoid an interminable wait, and if you're staying at one of the hotels that should be accomplished easily.

And while we're on the subject of queues, do remember that anti-smoking legislation is not yet a twinkle in Tinkerbell's eye anywhere in France, including Disneyland. So you are likely to encounter a larger proportion of people puffing away than might be considered reasonable, especially around children.

Anyway, it was all worth it. "I love you," Matthew blurted out as we stepped off the train at our home station. Can't put a price on that can you?

Eating out with Goofy

Where to eat: Our favourite was an all-you-can-eat Sunday champagne brunch at The Steakhouse in the Disney Village, during which Goofy, Pluto and Friar Tuck, among others, livened up proceedings. Help yourself to a generous buffet selection: fish and meat dishes, chips, paella, salad, scrambled eggs, cheese, fruit — yep, even snails; adults £22, children £7. Elsewhere there are numerous quick service restaurants serving acceptable fast food at about £8 per head.

What to see: Stunt Show Spectacular, live action show featuring Jetskis, cars and motorbikes; Legend of the Lion King, a fast-moving singing-and-dancing half-hour that appeals mostly to those at the oldest and youngest ends of the scale; Fantillusion, an evening parade. Kill two birds with one stone by doing Christmas shopping at the Valle d'Europe and La Valle shopping centres near Disneyland.

Where to stay: On-site hotels include Disneyland Hotel, two nights' B&B from £259pp adults, children £57; Newport Bay Club overlooking Lake Disney, from £169 adults, children £57; Sequoia Lodge, forest lodge theme, from £139 adults, children £57; Hotel Cheyenne, wild west theme, adults from £119 adults, children £57.

Need to know

Getting there: Mike Barnard and Matthew stayed at Hotel New York, where two-night Christmas season packages start at £189 per adult and £56 per child. This price is based on two adults and two children, 3-11, sharing a room with breakfast and a three-day Hopper ticket for the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. The same package including travel on Eurostar, costs from £323 per adult and £135 per child.

Further information: Disneyland Resort Paris (0870 5030303, www.disneylandparis.com). 

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To wer of Terror Area ... USED!

... for a temporary promotion stunt only unfortunately. This weekend a huge hot air balloon was stationed on the area earmarked for the Tower of Terror behind La Terrasse in the Walt Disney Studios. That balloon was advertising the latest Disney Pixar feature The Incredibles which had its special AP- and Shareholders' Preview this weekend in the park. As it was a real hot air balloon as used to fly through the skies it was "fired up" with hot air frequently illuminating the huge advertising. The balloon did not take into the air though but stayed on location all weekend long - as in a prolonged night-glow.
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Snowboards in the Sky
 
Disneyland Paris - The Xtra Snow Festival entertained guests this weekend in the Disney Village - mostly on Saturday as the rain on Sunday took quite a bit of the fun out of the program. Centerpiece of the action was the really giant snow- and ice-covered ski-jump that had been errected in the former Disney Village parking lot. After getting prepared with ice and snow on Friday afternoon Saturday the international athletes took the place over and presented breath-taking stunt-jumps on their snowboards that got juged by a jury on site. Guests cheered the international athletes, introduced by a special emcee along to top performances.
 
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Everyone ready for the Christmas Market?
 
Disneyland Paris - The Christmas Markets all over Europe opened their "gates" this weekend in time for the first advent-sunday, but it is still a week's time of waiting at the Disney Village till this year's Russian Christmas Market will open for guests their on the 4th of December. Today the first of the small huts that are housing the Christmas Market stands since the first year got errected in the Village.

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                                                     Saturday November 27, 2004
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New films trigger Disney turnaround

Incredibly, the resurgent movie division of The Walt Disney Co. is poised to hit the $1 billion mark in domestic box office grosses over the Thanksgiving weekend, despite enduring a string of flops during the first seven months of the year.

As of Monday, Disney's year-to- date total stood at $956.8 million, with the studio having two of the top three movies in the marketplace - a total that includes grosses from some 2003 holdovers.

Disney's movies released in 2004 have grossed $909.6 million so far.

Disney has managed to salvage what had been a dismal year with its release of The Incredibles, the computer-animated smash from Pixar Animation Studios that has grossed $177.5 million in three weeks. Incredibles was bumped from the No. 1 spot by another Disney release, National Treasure, which opened with a surprisingly strong $35.1 million.

"We were very soft until August," admitted Chuck Viane, president of Disney's Buena Vista Distribution. "But now we're on a strong roll again." This will mark the record ninth time that Disney will reach $1 billion, even if it comes more than three months later than last year. In 2003, the studio reached the milestone during the first week of August on the strength of the $300 million-plus grossing blockbusters Finding Nemo and Pirates of he Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

"I've been here for 16 years, and one thing I know about us is consistency," Viane said. "We may in a short period of time underproduce, but on a year-in, year-out basis, we are very consistent."

The studio began 2004 as reigning box office champ, coming off one of the best years in its history. But it began to sputter in early spring with such expensive failures as Hidalgo, The Alamo and the animated Home on the Range. Then the studio's first big summer releases, Around the World in 80 Days and King Athur, opened dead on arrival.

"They are held to a very high standard," observed box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co.

"There was lot of talk earlier in the year about their box office performance. Unless they are doing just gangbuster business with every film, people wonder why they aren't doing better." Still, nearly seven months into 2004, no Disney release had even managed to cross the $70 million mark domestically.

But things finally began to turn around with the July 30 release of The Village, a thriller from M. Night Shyamalan that opened at No. 1 with a gross of $50.7 million. While The Village became Disney's first $100-million grosser of 2004, its final tally of $114.2 million was considered somewhat of a disappointment when compared with the $227.9 million gross two years ago by the Shyamalan-directed Signs. Less than two weeks later, Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement opened a strong No. 2 and went on to gross a solid $94.7 million. While the Bernie Mac comedy Mr. 3000 was a disappointment in September, the John Travolta/Joaquin Phoenix drama Ladder 49 bowed in second place last month and has grossed a respectable $72.3 million to date.

But the real turnaround came with the Nov. 5 release of The Incredibles, which enjoyed universally positive reviews and has been a major hit among several demographics of the moviegoing audience. The film is sure to cross the $200 million mark over the Thanksgiving holiday and looks to add handsomely to its total in the weeks to come.

While Incredibles kept the Disney/Pixar streak alive at six films, Treasure seems assured of extending the streak of Jerry Bruckheimer-produced films starring Nicolas Cage that have grossed at least $100 million at the box office. The others are The Rock, Gone in 60 Seconds and Con Air. Treasure surprised most box office experts, who had not expected it to earn more than The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie ($32 million) during the weekend. Those two new films and Incredibles combined to lead the domestic box office to its biggest weekend since the Fourth of July holiday.

"Disney is salvaging their year and are a big part of turning the year-end box office into something that could end on a positive note,' Dergarabedian said.

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Toho, Disney will be sites for fish-off

Kissimmee's West Lake Toho and Walt Disney World's Bay Lake will be the sites for the 2005 BASS Federation Championship.

The top amateur bass anglers in the world will compete for the coveted championship from April 27-30.

Don Corkran, the BASS Federation director, said a cut format will be used for the first time.

"We will be cutting from the top 55 to 15 anglers after two days on Lake Toho," Corkran explained. "Then the smaller field will compete on Disney's Bay Lake, a spectacular fishery that few tournament anglers get to fish."

The three anglers with the highest cumulative two-day weight in each of the federation's five geographic divisions will earn the right to move to Bay Lake.

Because of the new format, the competition week will shift from two practice days and three competition days to a single practice day, followed by the four competitive rounds.

No doubt, the top 15 will be thrilled at the chance to fish in the middle of Walt Disney World, with monorails running overhead and the fleet of Disney transportation boats constantly passing by.

Bay Lake was first, stocked with more than 70,000 bass fingerlings in the late 1960s, and because of the limited fishing pressure it continues to offer exceptional bass fishing.

Only those purchasing guided fishing trips with Disney personnel are allowed to fish the bass-rich waters.

Recently, BASS announced it will move its headquarters from Montgomery, Ala., to the Disney World area in the spring of 2005.

To qualify for the federation championship, amateur anglers from 46 states, the District of Columbia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Italy, Canada, Mexico and Japan compete in a series of qualifying tournaments to represent their state or national BASS federations.

The top five finishers also will earn berths in the 2005 Bassmasters Classic world championship. 

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Desi Walt Disney films

The Walt Disney Company wants to make original desi animation films and TV shows in India for the world market, as against the outsourcing model prevalent in the industry, it is learnt. In effect, everything will be Indian, from start to finish, in these films.

Walt Disney indicated its interest in the country's animation sector, when an entertainment industry delegation from India met Disney president and chief operating officer (COO) Bob Iger in Los Angeles last week. The team from India visited big-time film studios in the US.

Usually, animation work from India is outsourced by international film-makers in bits and pieces, mainly for economic reasons. In that sense, making full animation films in India is a relatively novel concept.

As has been reported earlier, Disney is getting ready to launch a set of TV channels in India. Mr Iger is learnt to have proposed long-term relations with the Indian entertainment industry. Although no financial details have been disclosed, the company is planning significant investment in an entertainment park in India. On an average, Disney is known to have spent around half a billion dollars on park projects in other parts of the world.

Besides Disney, other international majors keen on India are IMAX and Warner Brothers. IMAX officials are understood to have indicated that India and China are the two biggest markets in the company's interest area.

IMAX Corporation, headquartered jointly in New York City and Toronto, is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, with particular emphasis on film and digital imaging technologies including 3D, post-production and digital projection. Incidentally, IMAX is looking at the possibility of setting up three theatres in India.

The Indian entertainment industry delegation included Ad Labs chairman Manmohan Shetty, film-maker Bobby Bedi, UTV chairman Ronnie Screwwala, Lall Entertainment CEO Bhuvan Lall and E-City director Atul Goyal.

Although information and broadcasting minister S Jaipal Reddy was scheduled to head the delegation, he opted out subsequently. A senior official in the ministry headed the team, instead.

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Hi ho, it's off to Disney we go

ON Main Street, USA at Disneyland Resort Paris the Christmas season has been in full flow for several weeks now, with three daily sprinklings of "snow". You can be whisked off from Waterloo at breakfast time and enjoying lunch along with Mickey and pals less than three hours later. Which is why it's a perfect for a weekend break with the kids in the gloomy days during the run-up to Christmas.

At the Hotel New York, Nat King Cole croons away in the lifts as skaters waltz around the outdoor ice rink. But the showpiece occasion remains the Main Street Parade, with Mickey and Minnie leading off a whole host of characters in Christmas costume, toy soldiers bringing up the rear, stomping their boots in perfect co-ordination.

Yes, it's corny, but it's a must-see. My six-year-old son Matthew usually gives such events a wide berth, but was completely transfixed. I hadn't come across anything like it since I went scrambling for a decent view at Liverpool FC's Kop end in the 1970s.

Then there was the small matter of the rides. The Studio Tram Tour particularly impressed Matthew. It's supposed to be a Universal Studio-style ride around "movie backlots", on a short film narrated by Jeremy Irons that is screened aboard the tram.

Anyone who hasn't already twigged that we are not on an actual studio lot should get the idea when Irons says tongue in cheek that we are going to learn about movie lore: "the magic, the mayhem, and the mochas" (he takes a swig from a takeaway coffee container) .

The tram stops at "Catastrophe Canyon", an oil well "set", and is rocked around while a tanker bursts into flames (and you can feel the heat on your face from your tram seat), which is then extinguished by a huge flood.

We then moved on to an impressively realistic mock-up of a disaster zone outside a Central London Tube station which has been overrun by dragons. Also in the Studios is the Aerosmith Rock n' Roller coaster, which I wrongly assumed would be relatively tame. It immediately became apparent I was quite wrong as we went hurtling off into the darkness to be tossed around in a series of gravity-defying, eye-watering loops to a soundtrack of the veteran rockers' greatest hits. Walk this way? By the finish I was staggering. Matthew, however, was exhilarated.

He was ready for more, but in the main park at Frontierland, hopes of being spooked at the Haunted House were a bit of a letdown — nothing more terrifying than laughing skeletons and a few bony hands reaching out of coffins.

Some of the better rides have the Fastpass option: you go to a special machine and put in your entry ticket and are given a time slot to return to the ride. When the time comes, you go in a Fastpass entrance and usually you are on the ride in moments. Having spent an hour waiting to board Big Thunder Mountain, I learnt the hard way.

Saving the popular rides until near closing time is another way to avoid an interminable wait, and if you're staying at one of the hotels that should be accomplished easily.

And while we're on the subject of queues, do remember that anti-smoking legislation is not yet a twinkle in Tinkerbell's eye anywhere in France, including Disneyland. So you are likely to encounter a larger proportion of people puffing away than might be considered reasonable, especially around children.

Anyway, it was all worth it. "I love you," Matthew blurted out as we stepped off the train at our home station. Can't put a price on that can you?

Eating out with Goofy

Where to eat: Our favourite was an all-you-can-eat Sunday champagne brunch at The Steakhouse in the Disney Village, during which Goofy, Pluto and Friar Tuck, among others, livened up proceedings. Help yourself to a generous buffet selection: fish and meat dishes, chips, paella, salad, scrambled eggs, cheese, fruit — yep, even snails; adults £22, children £7. Elsewhere there are numerous quick service restaurants serving acceptable fast food at about £8 per head.

What to see: Stunt Show Spectacular, live action show featuring Jetskis, cars and motorbikes; Legend of the Lion King, a fast-moving singing-and-dancing half-hour that appeals mostly to those at the oldest and youngest ends of the scale; Fantillusion, an evening parade. Kill two birds with one stone by doing Christmas shopping at the Valle d'Europe and La Valle shopping centres near Disneyland.

Where to stay: On-site hotels include Disneyland Hotel, two nights' B&B from £259pp adults, children £57; Newport Bay Club overlooking Lake Disney, from £169 adults, children £57; Sequoia Lodge, forest lodge theme, from £139 adults, children £57; Hotel Cheyenne, wild west theme, adults from £119 adults, children £57.

Need to know

Getting there: Mike Barnard and Matthew stayed at Hotel New York, where two-night Christmas season packages start at £189 per adult and £56 per child. This price is based on two adults and two children, 3-11, sharing a room with breakfast and a three-day Hopper ticket for the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. The same package including travel on Eurostar, costs from £323 per adult and £135 per child.

Further information: Disneyland Resort Paris (0870 5030303, www.disneylandparis.com).

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Hazlet heads for Disney World

Winning does the strangest things to people.

Just ask Hazlet Pee Wees coach Greg Fitzpatrick.

"You see the football face?" asked Fitzpatrick, referring to a mask he has worn after each Hazlet win. "We're a little superstitious. They started that at the beginning of the year so we just kept going with it."

Who can argue with superstitions?

Yesterday, he wore it proudly after Hazlet won the Pop Warner Football Eastern Region Division 2 championship, defeating the North Philadelphia (Pa.) Aztecs 30-12 at Summerfield School's Memorial Field.

The victory sends Hazlet (14-0) to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the national championships Dec. 5-11.

"Our kids showed up today and they played a great game," Fitzpatrick said. "The cream rises to the top."

And it did with Hazlet clutching to an 8-6 lead at the half.

Bennet Jackson, Hazlet's game-breaker, Bennet Jackson, returned the second-half kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown to give Hazlet a 14-6 lead. Jackson's successful extra-point kick put the Hawks on top 16-6, leaving North Philadelphia stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Fitzpatrick said that play set the tone for the rest of the game.

"We saw on the left side there was a hole over there," Fitzpatrick said. "I'm yelling to (Jackson), 'Run the left side! Run the left side!' Sure enough, he broke the one tackle and just broke right through."

Left Tackle Brendan Costello said he's watched Jackson connect on big runs all season.

"You give Bennet a hole and he'll take it and run right through it," Costello, 12, said. "The offensive line is a big part (of it)."

The Aztecs (11-1) answered right back with Spencer Moses' 50-yard touchdown run, his second rushing touchdown of the game, cutting Hazlet's lead to 16-12.

But, again, it was Jackson to the rescue for the Hawks.

In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, Jackson used some timely blocks to run up the right side for a 51-yard touchdown. Although his extra-point kick was no good, Hazlet led 22-12 and began thinking about the trip to Disney.

The Hawks added one more score midway through the fourth quarter. After an interception by Hazlet's John Pandolfino, Anthony Corona eluded defenders for an 8-yard touchdown. Jackson's successful extra-point kick gave Hazlet a commanding 18-point advantage.

The victory was icing on the cake, Costello said.

"Just being here was great. Winning it, it's even better," Costello said.

"It feels great," added tight end/linebacker Joseph Pensabene, 12, who scored on a 24-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter. It's the best."

Fitzpatrick said its an unbelievable feeling to be playing for a national title after such a grueling Pop Warner season.

"How hard is it to get to this point?" Fitzpatrick asked. "Extremely hard. There are so many good football teams out there.

"Now everybody has to get on the phone and make the reservations. It's going to be something they'll remember the rest of their lives." 

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Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Sold Out Dates

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is Sold Out for December 10th and 17th.

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Mickey Mouse pays a visit to K.C.'s Plaza lighting ceremony

The Country Club Plaza was packed Thursday night as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and a young child flipped the switch for the annual Thanksgiving night lighting.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse took part in honor of Mickey Mouse's 75th anniversary. Their creator, Walt Disney, was raised in Marceline, in north-central Missouri, and worked as an advertising cartoonist in Kansas City after World War I before moving to Hollywood.

A crowd estimate was not available, but people filled the streets in 40-degree weather at the upscale shopping center and more watched from balconies overlooking the 14-square-block area.

The lighting display features about 300,000 red, blue, yellow and green lights. It will remain on through Jan. 16.

The Plaza lighting tradition began in 1925 with one strand of 16 lights over a single doorway. It has expanded into a celebration that brings Kansas City area residents and tourists to the midtown shopping area. 

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Eisner's tactics revealed in trial

When Michael Eisner took the helm at Walt Disney Co. in 1984, he was so unschooled in boardroom etiquette that he sought out a copy of "Robert's Rules of Order," the guide to parliamentary procedure. But no rule book taught Eisner the moves he displayed at a Nov. 25, 1996, board meeting.

The Disney chief executive planned to inform directors that he wanted to fire company President Michael Ovitz -- without Ovitz, who was also a board member, in the room. At the regular board meeting, Ovitz was nominated to a new three-year term as a director. Then the whole group moved into a second room where it listened to a presentation about Disney's theme-park operations. Finally, Disney's non-management directors, plus Eisner, slipped into a third room to talk about Ovitz's pending ouster in an unscheduled executive session.

"That's how we kept Michael Ovitz out of the room and moved it on," Eisner said last week in court. The maneuver wasn't entirely painless. The executive session was held in a glass-walled conference room. Outside, Ovitz hovered and watched. Just over two weeks later, he was fired.

That scene was depicted in detail during a month of testimony in the trial of a shareholder suit against Disney directors under way in a Delaware court. The trial, plus interviews from depositions, provides an unusual behind-the-scenes peek into the brutal sport of corporate boardroom politics. In particular, the case shows how Eisner wielded power during his controversial 20-year run at Disney and clung to that power even as the company's performance sagged.

Time and again, testimony in the Ovitz case -- including Eisner's own account -- illustrates how he operated with little regard for conventional rules of corporate play. He allowed rivalries to fester until they became irreparable, lied publicly when it was convenient, and once hatched a plot with a director to report details of a private conversation with Ovitz.

Eisner's standard operating procedure involved lavishing attention on individual board members. He fired off stream-of-consciousness memos that effectively routed debate through him. He curried favor with other influential players in the Disney orbit, including the widows of former executives, members of the Disney family, and big investors including Sid Bass and Warren Buffett.

The high-profile shareholder lawsuit, currently being tried in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleges that Disney's directors did not give adequate scrutiny to Ovitz's 1995 hiring and his 1996 "no-fault" termination. After a stormy stint at the company, Ovitz walked away from Disney with an exit package that at the time was valued at $140 million. Disney's mid-1990s directors, including Eisner and Ovitz, are defendants in the case.

The glimpse into Eisner's boardroom strategy comes as he is beginning to fade from power. Ovitz's departure opened the door to outside criticism that never let up. The 2003 resignation of two key board members, Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold, lit the fuse of a shareholder revolt that resulted in a humbling 45 percent no-confidence vote against Eisner at the company's annual meeting in March. The board stripped Eisner of his chairman's title that same month and in September, Eisner announced plans to leave as CEO when his contract expires in 2006.

Disney says its corporate governance has been overhauled in recent years. It has put in place stricter definitions of who counts as an independent director, and has appointed new independent members to replace those criticized for being beholden to Eisner. Disney says non-management directors now meet regularly outside the presence of the company's executives.

In a written statement, Disney noted that its revenues and profits have increased markedly under Eisner's leadership and that "the quality of his management style would need to be evaluated in the context of those results."

Eisner has long denied he was an overly dominant presence on the Disney board. But during the trial -- which turns on how much the board knew about the hiring and firing of Ovitz -- he has been forced to spell out the once-private details of how he ran his company.

A top film and TV executive before joining Disney, Eisner had never attended a corporate board meeting, much less presided over one. While learning the ropes, he recalled during testimony, Eisner asked whether or not he would use a gavel.

His street smarts soon kicked in, and Eisner learned to manage board members by constantly providing them with information. "I knew if I filled them in, made them my partner, if things didn't go so well, the likelihood of, 'I told you so' and those kind of reactions would not exist," he told the court. He also noted he had an "obligation to fill them in."

Eisner operated in this manner when Disney made a headline-grabbing deal in August 1995 to hire Ovitz, then a top agent known in the media as "the most powerful man in Hollywood." One Disney director -- Irwin Russell, who was also Eisner's personal attorney -- conducted the negotiations for the company in exchange for a $250,000 fee. Eisner solicited the views of key directors such as Stanley Gold, Roy Disney's business partner. Eisner testified that shareholder Bass was also supportive. In a deposition taken last year, Bass said: "Relented might be a better word ... I was never terribly pleased with Ovitz being the choice."

Even before the Ovitz deal was announced, it had gone sour. In testimony, Ovitz said he thought his new job would be structured like that of Frank Wells, the Eisner confidant who served as Disney president until his death in a 1994 helicopter accident. But the night before the planned announcement, over dinner at Eisner's house, Ovitz received a shock. Disney Chief Financial Officer Steve Bollenbach and corporate operations chief Sanford M. Litvack were also in attendance.

Eisner recalled: "We sat down and Steve Bollenbach looked right at Michael Ovitz and said -- first words out of his mouth -- 'this is great for the Walt Disney Company. I'm thrilled to be a shareholder. The stock is going to go up. Congratulations. And by the way, I'm not reporting to you, I'm reporting to Michael Eisner' ... Then Sandy said, 'Me, too.' "

Eisner conceded that he "hadn't really thought it through." Ovitz said in court that Eisner did little to back up his new hire. They ducked into a bedroom, but all Eisner said was: "There's nothing I can do about it," Ovitz testified. Ovitz said he felt it was too late to back out on the deal.

Ovitz started work at Disney in October 1995. Ten days later, Eisner sent him a letter stressing that Disney needed to focus on operations after its big acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC Inc. He also stressed the importance of business ethics. "We both know many, many leaders of industry who forget either their positions or their mortality," he wrote.

It was soon apparent the men were going in different directions. Ovitz testified he tried to acquire record companies, sign big-name talent and look for new investments outside Disney -- precisely the activities Eisner counseled against. By the end of the year, the enthusiasm that marked the beginning of the Eisner/Ovitz era was starting to wear thin. In a Christmas Eve end-of-year note to Ovitz, Eisner wrote: "1996 is going to be a great year. We are going to be a great team. We every day are working better together. Time will be on our side."

Early in the new year, Eisner selectively put out the word that he thought Ovitz was stumbling.

Ovitz knew he faced problems. For example, in his testimony, Ovitz said Litvack, the Disney operations chief, took "every chance that he got to make me look stupid."

A trickle of negative press coverage about the company's executive problems turned into a torrent by the late summer. Eisner fretted that other executives would leave if the Ovitz situation got any worse.

"The mistake was mine, totally and completely," Eisner wrote about the Ovitz hire. "Maybe I suspected it (at) the time, but my desire to bring in a strong number two executive, my desire to satisfy my wife's honest request that I get help, my desire to appear not threatened by strong executives, my desire to seek experienced help to run ABC, and my desire to do what was right for Disney, all clouded my basic instinct that I was making a mistake. I was really the only one who knew it."

At a September board meeting in Orlando, Fla., Eisner pulled board members aside, individually or in small groups, to alert them to the escalating problem. He avoided an executive session because "it would be so difficult to get Michael Ovitz out of the room," Eisner testified.

Negotiations for Ovitz's exit began in early December. At the same time, Disney's executive-performance plan committee awarded Ovitz a $7.5 million bonus for his work in fiscal year 1996; it was later rescinded.

On Dec. 11, 1996, Eisner and his onetime successor met late at night in a New York apartment that had belonged to Eisner's mother to finalize the details. In a written statement released the next day, the separation was described as being "by mutual agreement." Eisner said he would "miss Michael's energy, creativity and leadership at Disney."

A few days later, upset at what he described as Ovitz's efforts to spin the press, Eisner sent an e-mail to then-Disney public-relations chief John Dreyer complaining that Ovitz was a "psychopath" who was "untrustworthy to everybody" and "totally incompetent." In testimony last week, the Disney chief said he was exaggerating.

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                                                        Friday November 26, 2004
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Santa barred from skydiving near Disneyland
Santa Claus can build toys, shimmy down a chimney, and lead a team of flying reindeer -- but he can't skydive near Disneyland.For the second year, Santa's had to cancel a parachute jump becuse of a post-Nine-Eleven law passed by Congress. It restricts airspace around Disney's California theme park because of terrorism concerns.

The ban has angered some merchants at the Anaheim Town Square shopping center, which began hosting the annual "Jingle Bell Jump" in 1999.

The shopping center plans to circulate a petition asking Congress to reconsider the law for next year.

Today, instead of skydiving, Santa will float in a hot air balloon tethered to the ground. Last year, he arrived in a fire truck.

 
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Walt Disney, STAR ink pact
 
Walt Disney Television International Asia Pacific on Friday signed a multi-year deal with the STAR group to distribute Disney Channel and Toon Disney Channel in India.

Announcing this, executive vice-president of WDTVI-AP Doug Miller said in a release the deal would introduce the region's first ever Toon Disney Channel in the country.

CEO of Star Michelle Guthrie said in the release that adding the cartoon channels to the STAR bouquet of channels would provide more variety to kids and family viewing.

India, he said, was one of the world's largest young audiences with 30 million cable and satellite TV viewers under 14 years of age.

With the collaboration, the channels were looking at capturing this young audience, he added.
 
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Disney Channel Acquires License Rights From TV-Loonland for Series "Connie the Cow"
 
TV-Loonland has sold the television rights for Connie the Cow to the Disney Channel. The pay TV network has been broadcasting the series since September 2004 on its Premiere platform - a first in the history of German television. "With Connie the Cow we have a preschool series in our lineup that's already been sold to many stations in Europe and elsewhere including ABC in Australia and one that consistently gets outstanding ratings," said Peter Völkle, president and CEO of TV-Loonland. The sale of the German television rights to the Disney Channel was a continuation of the successful marketing behind the popular series, Völkle continued. Nicky Kerth, Manager Acquisitions, Disney Channel: "We are very pleased to have such a high-quality and lovingly created animated series for preschool children in our program with Connie the Cow."

Connie the Cow - produced by Neptuno Films, Spain, is one of the most educational and enchanting animated series for children aged four and above.

Due to the show's excellent ratings - including a 72 percent market share among preschoolers (up to four years) on ABC in Australia and almost 25 percent on ITV in the UK - Connie has now been sold to nearly every European network. In 2003 the cartoon series was crowned the best animated children's series at the international festival Cartoons on the Bay.

TV-Loonland is an integrated media company and counts among the leading international producer -distributors of animation for children, youth and families. TV-Loonland AG is listed at the premium stock exchange segment of Deutsche Börse "Prime Standard" (ISIN DE000534840). On 30 September 2004 TV-Loonland's shares entered as a second listing active trading on the AIM segment of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

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Everest Picture Update



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Disney trial offers rich lessons in corporate governance

This weekend marks the transition between the gratitude of Thanksgiving and the greedy excess of Christmas shopping. What better time to muse on the implications of the Disney trial that is providing holiday entertainment in Delaware Chancery Court.

For those who still equate Disney with childhood mouse-eared innocence, the trial is a revelation of what it is like to reign over the Magic Kingdom. At issue in this shareholders suit is the jaw-dropping $140 million that onetime super-agent Michael Ovitz received as severance when he was sacked in 1996 after 15 tumultuous months as Disney's president, heir apparent to CEO Michael Eisner.

By the standards of corporate America, not to mention Washington, $140 million is chump change. Warner Bros. and its partners squandered an estimated $170 million on this holiday season's ice-ball flop, The Polar Express. But the Disney trial transcends corporate finances as it provides a riveting portrait of the egoism of Ovitz and Eisner. Small wonder The Times of London called it with atypical British overstatement "perhaps the most entertaining corporate trial in American history."

When Ovitz was the dealmaking chief of the talent agency CAA in the early 1990s, he received gushy profiles in glossy magazines like Vanity Fair almost monthly. But a far different picture of Ovitz has emerged in the trial. A former Disney executive described his management style as "odd as opposed to useful." That executive, Stephen Bollenbach, testified about a meeting at which Ovitz made 40 Disney executives vote on "Who's the most important person in history?" Eisner ranked up there with Jesus when the responses were tallied.

Other weird anecdotes have enlivened the trial. At the funeral of Eisner's mother in New York, the CEO recounted that Ovitz made a "giant scene" when the hearse was blocked by Fifth Avenue traffic. And, according to Eisner's testimony, Ovitz insisted on being ferried around by limousine at a corporate retreat while other Disney executives traveled in luxury buses.

Eisner, who after a troubled tenure has announced that he will step down as CEO in 2006, comes across as equally unsympathetic. During the summer of 1996, as Eisner schemed to palm off Ovitz on Sony, he was interviewed by CNN's Larry King. Dismissing rumors of a rift as "baloney," Eisner flatly stated that he would hire Ovitz again without reservation. After that mendacious video clip was replayed in the courtroom, Eisner said ruefully, "It was unfortunate and stupid."

Former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, now the chairman of Disney's board, revealed the casual manner in which Ovitz was hired. Mitchell admitted that the board never questioned claims that Ovitz was making $20 million to $25 million a year at CAA. In fact, Mitchell testified that the only document the board examined was Ovitz's résumé. Needless to say, the credentials of a would-be ticket-taker at Disney World receive greater scrutiny.

It is easy to file these stories away in a mental compartment marked "That's Hollywood." But for all the Tinseltown extravagance of the Ovitz-Eisner saga, the real lessons lie in the arena of corporate governance. At a time when millions of hard-pressed Americans will be visiting food pantries over the holidays and scrounging for hand-me-downs as Christmas presents, it is worth recalling that most corporate titans live in a realm unimaginable to ordinary Americans.

A study by the liberal Economic Policy Institute found that income inequality is rapidly increasing. In 1979, those in the top 1% of American families had incomes 33 times greater than those in the bottom 20%. By 2000, this income differential increased to 88 times. In fact, in 2000, the wealthiest 1% earned a greater share of national income than at any time since the eve of the Depression. Those numbers date to the days when Bill Clinton was president and don't reflect the benefits that the affluent received from George W. Bush's tax cuts.

Business Week, in its annual survey of CEO income released in April, found that pay packages (including salaries, bonuses and long-term compensation) increased by 9% in 2003. That, of course, was far greater than wage increases. The average CEO in the study earned $8.1 million, admittedly a pittance compared with Ovitz's $140 million. The magazine also looked at the 25 CEOs with the highest compensation, who snagged an average of $33 million in 2003. In case you are curious, that works out to more than 900 times the salary of a typical American worker.

Statistics like that are difficult to absorb. It is far easier to chortle over Martha Stewart's jail term and snigger over the Disney corporate drama. But for all the glib talk about CEOs increasing shareholder value, something is awry in a society where the rich are getting richer and everyone else is getting by. This is a problem that does not lend itself to neat political solutions, for all the righteous indignation inspired by rogue companies like Enron.

But for those who are juggling credit cards in an effort to make it through Christmas shopping, it is understandable to be a little envious of Ovitz, no matter how the Disney trial works out. For $140 million, it is surprising how many Americans would agree to never again work at Disney.

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Medion scores bullseye on Target PCs

Department store chain, Target, will advertise its first PC product next month as it takes aim at younger consumers.

The retailer has struck a deal to sell the Disney Dream Desk PC, built by German vendor Medion, in a bid to capture the children's market.

The Disney-licensed machine is Target Australia's first computer offering to customers, and won't be the last, the company claimed.

The mass merchant is looking to increase its PC business in response to market demand.

Target electronics business manager, Chris Hardiman, said the Disney machine also sat with the company's strategy to introduce new and interesting products to its stock line-up.

Target is keen to sell more types of PCs and was open to approaches from PC vendors, according to Hardiman.

"Anyone who's visited our stores in the last couple of years will have seen the shift already," he said.

"Digital cameras, MP3 players; those things are all growing in sales in the Target electronics area."

Future PC stock would come from major brands and second tier vendors, Hardiman said. The company was also open to local brands.

Hardiman said Target had approached Medion for the Disney PC after becoming aware of its availability overseas.

The PC comes with a 2.66GHz Intel Celeron processor, ATI Radeon 9100 graphics accelerator, 40GB hard drive, 512MB DDR RAM, CD-RW/DVD drive and is fitted with Windows XP and Microsoft Works 7.0. It will go on sale in the last week of December, priced at $1699.

The decision to sell to the children's market reflected Target's customer base, Hardiman said.

"It sits well with the strength of our children's business," he said.

"We have a lot of mums buying products for their children, and the Disney machine delivers on fashion. Plus it's a very practical product."

With a mouse-ear shaped 14.1-inch TFT monitor, the machine has a number of features aimed at winning over children.

Disney-branded multimedia applications and games are included, as well as Norton Anti-virus.

Target was the first customer in Australia for the Disney PC, but the deal was not exclusive, Medion Australia managing director, Gregor Aschoff, said.

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Thin plot means 'On the Record' whistles but doesn't really work

At Thanksgiving, we count our blessings, and among those America regards with nostalgic affection are Walt Disney's animated movies.

Part of that legacy is the Disney songbook, the treasure chest of songs from the movies, some of which are classics everyone recalls. So it certainly seems a plausible idea to plunder that songbook to create a Disney musical revue. As luck would have it, the result arrives in Pittsburgh just as we are getting set to give thanks for our blessings.

But "On the Record," as the revue is called, is itself less a blessing than, well, a turkey, delivered a couple of days early, undercooked.

Its performers are capable and attractive, the packaging is professional and some of the songs are indeed treasures, but nothing hides the fact that "On the Record" is an opportunistic anthology concocted as product, tied loosely together with flimsy expository devices. Only this year's paucity of real touring musicals justifies having such a lightweight construction lead off the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season.

And yet how can one speak badly of a revue including "Whistle While You Work," "Someday My Prince Will Come" (dubious ideology notwithstanding), "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and "When You Wish upon a Star"? Ingratitude for these must seem the aesthetic equivalent of drowning kittens.

There are certainly segments to admire in the show's profusion of some 58 songs (whole or in part) culled from 30 Disney movies. (Although the press kit lists 66 songs, some are present only in a musical phrase or two.) But many of those songs are pretty ordinary. Anyway, the main joys of those movies are story, humor and animation, and "On the Record" is not, in the other sense, very animated.

The show's frame gimmick is a recording session at which eight singers -- call them Older Man, Older Woman, Younger Man, Younger Woman and four supporting echoes -- are rushed through a pre-set play list by an unseen, godlike producer. In the course of the session (arbitrarily broken up into 15 sub-"sessions," sometimes thematically coherent, sometimes not), the older couple, who seem to have a history, get together, and the younger couple (younger because they don't have a history), do, too.

The framework and plot are so slim they make those of "Forever Plaid" seem like Shakespeare. Meanwhile, nothing is remotely like any recording session ever was; the swiveling booms and dancing mic stands are so obviously just props that they mock the given occasion. There are even fake saxes to tootle, as in old-fashioned TV variety-show choreography.

Actually, that avuncular producer has promise -- think Zach in "A Chorus Line." (He might stand for the imperious Disney empire.) But he isn't put to interesting use. His voice is provided by that wonderful actor Richard Easton, but because it's recorded, it can't even adapt to the onstage flow or audience response.

The four leads could handle much more than they're given to do. We know that of Brian Sutherland, from his recent "Man of La Mancha" at the Pittsburgh Public. He plays the Older Man (older because he wears a tie) with charm, spirit and welcome articulation. Emily Skinner is his match as the Older Woman: She gives every look or gesture as much meaning as possible in a non-specific void, and her voice can handle both sweet and sardonic, not that there's much call for the latter.

The Younger Woman is Ashley Brown, who also has a powerful vocal instrument. Unfortunately, she is usually limited to one-note girlishness or sappy astonishment. Andrew Samonsky, the Younger Man, is allowed more spirited angles and gets to sing with more range.

Among the songs, this kitten-drowning critic liked the goofy, silly segments best because they give the performers more to work with than the kind of vague lament everyone learned to avoid in acting class.

Session 5, for example, uses songs of the 1930s to accompany "The Work Song" from "Cinderella," in which the Older Man uses a mouse voice to flirt appealingly. Silliness reaches a happy peak in the Act 1 finale, which intertwines "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Hi-Diddl-Dee-Dee," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and more, with director Robert Longbottom adding a frenzy of actor movement and cascading sheet music -- just the liveliness we've missed all act long.

My favorite Act 2 sequence is four songs from "Dumbo" (1941) -- I'd forgotten how good that score is. Another sequence pairs three songs from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with three from "Beauty and the Beast," a logical connection. In general, it seems to work better to cluster songs by show than to hop through the whole canon along some obscure thematic track.

Note that my favorite songs come from older movies; I'm sure younger audiences will respond more to many songs from the past 15 years. But I don't think this is a show for kids under, say, 8; they'd be bored.

The best specialty number is "Be Our Guest," sung in five different languages with video accompaniment -- one time "On the Record" actually becomes animated, in both ways.

The unsung hero of "Off the Record" is David Chase, the music adaptor and arranger who (with an assist from orchestrator Danny Troob) has accomplished wonders interweaving tunes. The show's musical support is also admirable: the eight-piece on-stage combo is lively, expressive and slick.

So is the back-up quartet of Meredith Inglesby, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard and Keewa Nurullah, who do plenty of vocal work but provide enlivening dance interludes, too.

"On the Record" was launched just two weeks ago in Cleveland; Pittsburgh is its first stop. On Tuesday, there was some delay in seating the audience because they were still getting their technical act in order, but that's cured by now. The show itself, though, is probably set in its unimpressive ways, but many audiences will welcome it for its parentage, anyway, and for its few classic songs.

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Cheerleading team earns national berth

The Southern Dutchess Packers Junior Midget cheerleading squad made history last weekend in New Jersey.

The team placed second in their division at the Pop Warner Regional Cheerleading Competition in Trenton, N.J. By virtue of the second-place finish, the girls have earned a trip to the Pop Warner national cheerleading competition, which will be held Dec. 9 at Disney World in Florida.

It is the first time a Southern Dutchess Pop Warner cheerleading team has earned a berth to a national competition.

The team is seeking donations and sponsorships to help defray the cost of the trip. Anyone interested in donating or sponsoring the team should mail the donations to: Southern Dutchess Pop Warner, P.O. Box 35, Hopewell Junction, N.Y., 12533. Checks should be made out to: SD Pop Warner. All donations are tax deductible.

Team members: Sarah Calvelli, Kailee Whalen, Nicole Anjos, Kate Silverman, Jennifer Voltz, Victoria Bartolotti, Skylar Wortmann, Krista Everett, Desiree Smetana, Shalina Williams, Gabrielle Maione, Jessica Kohler, Victoria Juanai, Kristen Marchese, Victoria Gentile, Julianne Guilietti, Samantha Valentine, Heather Dippolito, Kristen Fernandes, Jacqueline Nani, Stephanie Helpern.

Coaches: Jill Stevenson, Martina Calvelli, Patty Everett, Rachel Calvelli.

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                                                    Thursday November 25, 2004
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Walt Disney Security Guards Reject Contract
 
Walt Disney World's security guards overwhelmingly rejected a new three-year labor contract, ignoring a recommendation from their union leaders.

Members of the Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America Local 603 voted down the agreement 296-26 late Wednesday. More than 1,000 Disney guards are represented by the union.

Negotiations are to resume next week.

"It's just a matter of us going back to the table," Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said of the vote. "They spoke out on wages and the health care issue. Obviously that's a trend with our unions."

Local 603 president Brian Gibbons said he looked forward to resuming talks.

Last Thursday, members of Disney World's largest union, representing 40 percent of the resort's 51,000-person work force, accepted a three-year contract after an eight-month fight over wages, health care premiums and other benefits.
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Local cheerleaders march at Disney for Thanksgiving

Most middle school students wouldn't dream of giving up their traditional Thanksgiving Day activities for a pair of pom-poms, but dreaming is what has enabled a pair Richardson Middle School cheerleaders to march in the annual Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Jane Gherna and Katie Shaffer, both 13 years old, are captains of the Richardson Middle School cheerleading squad, and will participate in this year's Disney Thanksgiving parade with 450 cheerleaders from across the country.

"I'm excited," said Gherna, who has been cheerleading for three years. "I feel like this is a big accomplishment. I'm looking forward to being on TV and meeting other cheerleaders."

"I feel so proud that I get to support my team," Shaffer said. "I think meeting the other cheerleaders and being on TV is going to be cool."

As participants in the parade, the cheerleaders will march down Disney's Main Street USA and perform a routine each time the parade stops. The parade will be held from 8-11 a.m. and is scheduled to be shown by an ABC television affiliate.

The students earned the chance to participate in the parade when they were selected by Universal Cheerleading Association officials after attending a summer cheerleading camp.

The Universal Cheerleading Association is an accredited cheerleading association and has had cheerleaders participate in the parade for more than 10 years.

Angie Law, Richardson Middle School cheerleading coach, said this is quite an accomplishment for Gherna and Shaffer.

"I think this is a huge accomplishment for them," said Law, who has been a cheerleading coach for five years, and is working in her first year as the Richardson coach.

"They were chosen out of at least 20 other (cheerleading) squads. There was at least two girls chosen from each squad out of the middle schools. This shows that they do really well in the sport and I'm very proud of them. Both of them are dedicated cheerleaders. I know it's been a lot of very hard work for them but I'm very proud that they get to go do it."

Though Gherna and Shaffer will miss the traditional Thanksgiving meal with family members, they and the other cheerleaders participating in the parade will have their own Thanksgiving meal Thursday night.

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Toys Inspired by The Incredibles, Disney Princess, among Hottest Holiday Gift Items at Disney Store; Available Exclusively at Disney Store

On the day after Thanksgiving, shoppers nationwide will mark the annual, pre-dawn ritual that officially begins the holiday shopping season by getting a jump-start on hot deals while supplies are still plentiful. In response to early excitement for its popular Disney Princess items, as well as merchandise inspired by the huge Disney/Pixar hit, The Incredibles, Disney Store will offer significant discounts on exclusive merchandise beginning on Friday, November 26, with specials continuing throughout Thanksgiving weekend.

For boys and gadget fans, the hottest "must have" item is the Incredimobile, a wireless remote control replica of the Incredimobile car from the film. Packaged ready to use, with a Mr. Incredible action figure, remote controller and batteries, boys will have hours of fun zipping around corners, zooming through straight-aways, flashing its headlights and revving the engine. Other hot holiday gift items include a talking Mr. Incredible doll, character action figures and Incredibles nesting dolls.

For little girls who dream of being a Disney Princess, Disney Store offers a dazzling, three-foot tall talking Cinderella that speaks 20 phrases, a luxurious Disney Princess Enchanted Palace with a working elevator, elegant chandelier and enchanted piano, and an adorable Mini Princess Wedding Castle that celebrates Belle's wedding to the Beast. Two new members of the Disney Princess line, Little Ariel and Little Cinderella, are toddler-dolls with long, flowing hair for hours of styling fun. Disney Store also carries the largest collection of Disney Princess dolls anywhere.

Here's a comprehensive list of great holiday gift ideas from Disney Store that are expected to be the season's hottest sellers (please note: during the Incredible Toy Extravaganza November 26-28, prices on most items will be promoted at up to 20 percent off of the prices listed below):

Hot Gifts For Boys:

Talking Mr. Incredible Doll - When the chest logo is pressed, this 11 1/2-inch action figure says one of seven popular key catch-phrases from the film. It comes with a supporting stand ($16.50US(a)).

Incredimobile - The Incredimobile is a remote control car that features flashing headlights, engine noises, a detachable roof and a Mr. Incredible action figure in his original blue costume. Comes with batteries ($39.50US).

Disney Heroes Fort Playset - This set includes Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Prince Phillip and Hercules. Also includes a trap door and hidden treasure room, a rowboat, cargo net and four flags. It features a variety of lights and sounds for great pretend play ($58US).

Hot Gifts For Girls:

Disney Princess 11 1/2-inch Fashion Dolls - Once upon a time, she met her first Disney Princess. Now, she can play for hours in far away kingdoms with all of her Princesses and girlfriends. Styling brush and slippers included.

Aurora - The tale of Sleeping Beauty comes alive as Aurora comes dressed in a pink ball gown, golden tiara and matching necklace ($14.50US).

Belle - Beauty is an understatement as Belle, in her golden ball gown, comes dressed and ready for a quiet dinner with the Beast ($14.50US).

Cinderella - No more cleaning and toiling; Cinderella comes dressed for the ball in a beautiful blue gown and white gloves ($14.50US).

Disney Princess Tea Set - This deluxe tea set comes with enough accessories to serve up to four little princesses. Includes a teapot, four place settings (plates, saucers, cups, knives, spoons and forks), and two "play" cookie boxes, complete in a pink enchanted pumpkin coach carrying case ($14.50US).

Little Ariel and Little Cinderella Dolls - Cute, cuddly and baby-faced, each toddler-doll stands 15-inches tall and is packaged with a crown, hairbrush, comb and six hair accessories ($19.50US).

Mini Princess Wedding Castle - Girls can help celebrate Belle's wedding to the Prince in a fun and festive castle. The set includes Belle and Prince figurines, three additional Disney Princess figurines, a Beast mask and dozens of wedding fashions and accessories ($49.50US).

Deluxe Tinker Bell Costume & Accessories - Little girls can dress up like everyone's favorite Fairy and enchant holiday guests. Comes with a set of magical wings and charming shoes. Great for imaginative play ($78.00US; Deluxe Wings $16.50US; Shoes $16.50US).

Talking Cinderella - Expected to be a major seller this season, little girls can look Cinderella right in the eye as she speaks 20 phrases. Talking Cinderella doll stands approximately three-feet tall and is dressed in a beautiful, sparkly blue gown. Batteries are included ($128US).

Disney Princess Enchanted Palace - This beautiful castle can be used with Disney Princess 11-inch dolls (available separately). It features a working elevator, elegant chandelier, stove that lights up and piano that plays music ($148US).

For Boys and Girls:

Disney Play Tents - Princess Castle for girls, Buzz Lightyear command post for boys. Open-air bottoms. Princess Castle has open-air top. Lift-flap entrance. Pops easily into place ($39.50US).

Hot Gifts For All Ages:

Incredibles Action Figures - Mr. Incredible, Frozone, Elastigirl and Jack Jack, Dash, Syndrome, Violet - 7-inch plastic action figures come with free ring and collectors card for hours of playtime ($9.50US).

Finding Nemo Mini Aquarium - This is the perfect aquarium for the home or office. Nemo and his tank friends, including Bubbles, Gill and Bloat, swim happily within a fun aquarium environment. Just add water and watch them come to life. Contains four aquarium backdrops and fun fish facts. Includes a net and fish food container, making this playtime aquarium even more realistic. There is a drawer for storage and the aquarium lights up ($9.50US, ages 3+).

Nesting Dolls - A timeless classic with a modern twist, these nesting-style dolls are decorated with your favorite Disney characters. Each set includes four plastic dolls, which can be stacked inside of one another, according to size. Eight styles are available, including The Incredibles, Lilo and Stitch, Disney Princesses, Toy Story characters, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Classic Disney characters (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck) and Nightmare Before Christmas characters ($14.50US, ages 3+).

World Of Disney, Multi Character Holiday "2004" Snowglobe - This exquisite collector's item features more than 19 Disney characters to surprise and delight Disney fans of all ages. It plays "Wish You A Merry Christmas" as Tinker Bell circles around the top of the holiday tree ($98US).

(a) In most cases, during the Disney Store's "Incredible Toy Extravaganza," prices will be significantly lower than shown.

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The happiest place in Disney's world

Nothing symbolizes the Walt Disney Co. more than its theme parks. In good times, they're a great asset; in tougher times, say post-Sept. 11, they have presented a challenge for a corporation trying to please Wall Street.

But the Parks and Resorts division, which accounts for about 25% of Disney's revenue, was a particular bright spot among mostly good news in the company's recently released fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year financial results.

Although chief financial officer Tom Staggs said he would like to see a return to the days of 20%-plus profit margins in the sector, the company has been happy with the turnaround of Parks and Resorts post-Sept. 11.

It's taken longer than they would have liked, but things have improved nicely at the division overseeing Disney's theme parks, hotels and the Disney Cruise Line.

Even excluding the positive impact of consolidating Euro Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland, revenue and operating income for the unit were both up double digits for Disney's fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

Paul Krasinski, founder and CEO of New York-based strategic advisory firm Lion Strategy Advisors, said Disney's theme parks have not so much had to battle competitors than broader societal issues. "The Disney brand is strong and difficult to overcome," he said, adding that two areas have turned in the company's favor.

"Improving macro-economic factors will benefit the parks because people have more disposable income," Krasinski said. "At the same time, you have a heightened sense that security isn't that much of a concern anymore."

The man at the helm of Disney's parks division for the past two years has been Jay Rasulo, who in total has spent 19 years at Disney -- almost as long as CEO Michael Eisner has been there. He took over after the most recent parks chief, Paul Pressler, left to run the Gap.

Rasulo is quick to point out that his division is much more than Anaheim's Disneyland and Orlando's Walt Disney World. It also includes the 6-year-old Disney Cruise Line, overseas parks in Asia and Europe and the venerable Walt Disney Imagineering division. Rasulo stresses that Disney isn't just limited by a handful of parks, but continues to seek new ways of bringing the "Disney magic" to consumers.

"With the cruise line, we've proven that with a mobile business, the Disney experience is what it's all about," Rasulo said in a recent interview in his office in the Team Disney building in Burbank. "It's not just about theme parks and resort hotels and everything that surrounds them, but about a lot of potential experiences that people want to immerse themselves in."

At the same time, Rasulo readily acknowledges that Disney's parks occupy an important place in the hearts and minds of consumers that transcends their bottom line value. Research shows that the parks are one of the top touchstones of Disney among Americans -- even those who have never visited them.

"The stories that we tell in our films and television shows, or even stories that we tell in merchandise, people really want to experience that in a very sort of integrated way that surrounds them, where they can leave their life behind," Rasulo said. "So it does become a very strong connection with the brand."

Next year will see the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, which Walt Disney launched in 1955. The park is dwarfed by the much larger and better-attended Walt Disney World, but it is held in special regard by the untold thousands of hard-core Disney fans who create and populate Internet chat boards, collectors groups and the like.

Even as Disney looks back for its anniversary, though, the company is keenly aware that it must stay ahead of the curve in catering to the changing needs of travelers and families.

Rasulo points to recent initiatives like the Magical Gatherings concept as examples of catering to evolving travel needs. Magical Gatherings, introduced at Walt Disney World in October 2003, is a program that facilitates group travel to the park through online planning tools and exclusive offers. It targets groups of eight or more, like extended families. Rasulo said the company has seen a 30% increase in travel by such groups at Walt Disney World.

After several years and millions of dollars spent in tweaking the rides and offerings in Disney's U.S. parks, the company has indicated that it plans to take at least a brief break from major spending on new attractions. That's not to say the parks will become frozen in time: renovations are under way at Disneyland in preparation for the 50th anniversary, and Rasulo said the adjacent Disney's California Adventure, which has been criticized since its opening in 2001 for being underbuilt, is still a work in progress.

"We're not done ... We certainly have demonstrated through our history that we continue to add and evolve our entertainment," Rasulo said. "We try to always keep in mind the principles of, 'Can everyone in the family enjoy it? Is it story based? Does it try to integrate great technology? And is it really the quality of entertainment that our customers expect?'

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News Corp president can exit to Disney

News Corp president Peter Chernin's new employment contract allows him to quit the media conglomerate without notice for the top job at a rival company such as Walt Disney, according to a copy of the contract filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The contract makes it easier for Mr Chernin to join Disney than entertainment companies that are units of bigger conglomerates, such as General Electric's NBC Universal. Mr Chernin is seen as one of the top contenders to take the Disney chief-executive job, which is becoming vacant with the planned departure of Michael Eisner in 2006. Disney has said it would announce a successor to Mr Eisner no later than June of next year.

The five-year contract says Mr Chernin would have to give six months' notice and get the consent of News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch if he wanted to take the CEO job at a competing company that was a unit of a public company. That definition covers entertainment companies such as Sony Corp's film company or NBC Universal.

But Disney is itself public, suggesting it is excluded from this provision. A person familiar with the situation said the contract provision meant Mr Chernin could join Disney - or, theoretically, other public companies, such as Time Warner - without giving six months' notice or getting Mr Murdoch's consent.

Still, the contract also highlights Mr Chernin's rich compensation at New York-based News Corp, which could affect his willingness to go to Disney.

While his annual salary will drop to $US3.8 million ($4.8 million) from its recent level of more than $US8 million, Mr Chernin stands to earn bigger bonuses than in the past.

He could earn as much as $US25 million in annual bonuses under the new deal, whereas in the past couple of fiscal years, he earned annual bonuses of $US8 million. Disney pays its executives much less. Mr Eisner earned an annual salary of $US1 million and was awarded restricted-stock bonuses of $US6.25 million for fiscal 2003 and $US5 million for fiscal 2002.

The contract says Mr Chernin's bonuses will be based on changes in News Corp's earnings per share. The bonuses will be paid in a mix of cash and restricted-stock units.

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Downey Jr joins The Shaggy Dog

Coming Soon! reports that Robert Downey Jr. has joined the cast of Walt Disney Pictures’ comic remake The Shaggy Dog, starring Tim Allen as a man who occasionally changes into a sheepdog,

Downey is set to play a yuppie entrepreneur who is using dogs to experiment a miracle drug.

Brian Robbins is directing the new version, which started filming in Los Angeles on Nov 15.

Other stars appearing in the flick include Kristin Davis, Danny Glover and Craig Kilborn.

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Download Free Trial of The Incredibles PC Game

The game features Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and their kids, Violet and Dash, as they try to escape Nomanisan Island while facing wave after wave of the evil forces of their foe, Syndrome. Fans are invited to download the game to test their superpowers in four environments and 20 levels of non-stop game action. Players can switch characters at any point in the game, optimizing their powers for rapidly changing game challenges and differing opponents. Players can get a free trial and purchase the game for $19.95 at www.TheIncredibles.com.

Link

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The Designibles

In the new Robert Zemeckis film, The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg’s dreamy illustrations are animated by way of a new three-dimensional CGI technology called “performance capture.” In this process, real actors (Tom Hanks plays most of them) are wired with small sensors attached to a network of digital cameras that simultaneously record three-dimensional facial and body movements in 360-degree views. (In production shots, the sensors themselves are attached to the actors’ faces, making them look as though they’ve been overcome by a rather advanced case of digital acne.)

Meanwhile, Pixar’s latest foray into cinematic invention captures more than just performance, and is, therefore, incredible for a number of reasons — not least of which is the fact that it’s not even remotely time-pegged to Christmas.

So what’s so incredible about The Incredibles? It’s not the brilliantly detailed portrayal of modern superhero culture writ large. It’s not the witty, demented parody of celebrity hero-worship positioned against the rampant passivity of civilian laissez-faire. It’s not their agility, their bravery or their will, their strength or their stamina, or even their ability to produce force fields at the dinner table.

No: what’s incredible isn’t performance capture but another phenomenon altogether. What’s incredible about The Incredibles is the art of design capture. Because when it comes to nailing design, the “Is" have it.

The Incredibles dwell in a kind of extraordinary dystopia, at once a celebration and an exaggeration of Eames-era modernism. Flanking either side of their suburban abode are split-level houses whose bland facades are punctuated by rows of tailored boxwoods: they’re robotic stand-ins, a kind of horticultural mutation of Stepford-wife stupor. Inside the house, chairs and tables sport blonde, Danish wood finishes, a mid-century palette further amplified by hints of color: chartreuse upholstery and avocado appliances form the perfect backdrop for a duo of wizened heroes who’ve been retired from active duty.

Yet as the pace quickens and the action builds, the design does too. Slick designer vehicles (think Philippe Starck on steroids) transport us to new architectural destinations: here are sites dotted by grand concrete allées, framed by volcanic window treatments and walls of perfectly gridded weaponry. Even Syndrome, the villain’s sensurround computer screen is well-designed, boasting well-kerned Bank Gothic letterforms within an icy blue-grey interface. It’s design run amok, at once exquisite and terrifying: Fritz Lang‘s Metropolis meets Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel in Japan.

Yet beyond the fear factor, design is also featured as deliriously comical. Arriving at the estate of Edna Mode, visitors are led up a manicured hillside to an International Style house of uncertain provenance. Edna’s diminutive size (she admits to three-foot-eight) makes the scale of her minimally furnished home seem even more preposterous: from the Miesian lobby to the Bulthaup-inspired industrial kitchen (and let's not forget the George Nelson benches) it’s an aesthetic travesty: design beyond reach. Edna herself is a kind of cross between the diminutive actress Linda Hunt and the design impresario Murray Moss — with dashes of Anna Wintour and Edith Head thrown in for good measure. In Edna’s domain, design manifests as a kind of Napoleonic obsession. A devout minimalist permanently clad in monochromatic shades of black and grey, she’s the ultimate cartoon embodiment of design. True to form, a glance at her profile reveals that while Mr. Incredible’s special power is “strength” and Elastigirl’s is “flexibility,” Edna’s is simply listed as “designer.”

The Zemeckis film has, of course, its own artistic merit: one scene at the North Pole features an Elf-manned command center, with an enormous obelisk made up of hundreds of round-edged black and white television screens, allowing the elves to monitor a world of sleeping children. (More echoes of Fritz Lang here.) But performance capture leaves you feeling like someone introduced an auto-pilot feature in Photoshop: in the end, it’s all too mechanically perfect, and no amount of dreamy illustration — or, for that matter, piped-in Bing Crosby holiday favorites — can fill the void.

Pixar’s technical contribution to computer animation is the art of texture mapping which, like performance capture, raises the bar for what’s visually achievable from storyboard to silver screen. But special effects are only half the battle and, at Pixar, they’re the second half. One has only to acknowledge the attention to morality (The Guardian’s Oliver Burkeman and Peter Conrad have both called it “Nietzschian”) and consider the characters — funny, flawed and yes, flabby — to understand that at Pixar, the play’s the thing. But that’s not all: take one look at their signature character — the deliciously anthropomorphized Luxo lamp — and you’ll agree that design looms large in this new world vision. And thanks to Edna Mode, we now we have our very own superhero to prove it.

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                                                    Wednesday November 24, 2004
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Hong Kong Disneyland Announces New Attractions

Disney and the Hong Kong SAR Government announced today that Hong Kong Disneyland will welcome its first guests on 12th September, 2005 (Monday), earlier than originally projected. The world-class theme park and resort, located on Lantau Island, will be Disney’s first theme park in China offering magical experiences for the entire family ranging from Broadway-style shows and signature Disney attractions to vibrant fireworks and parades.

“We are delighted to be joining with the Hong Kong SAR Government to bring guests from Hong Kong and around the world such a unique quality family entertainment experience. Over the past four years since the announcement of this project, we have been working closely with the Hong Kong SAR Government to make Hong Kong Disneyland a success, and we are grateful for their tremendous support in helping us deliver the magic even earlier than expected,” said Don Robinson, Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director.

“The announcement of opening day for Hong Kong Disneyland marks a key milestone for the development of Hong Kong tourism and the economy as a whole,” said Henry Tang, Financial Secretary, Hong Kong SAR Government and the Guest of Honour at today’s announcement. Tang said that Hong Kong Disneyland’s opening would be a “driving force for tourism growth for Hong Kong, and family tourism development in particular,” noting that this year’s tourist arrivals are estimated to reach over 21 million, a rise of 37% over last year.

The Financial Secretary also highlighted that the whole economy will continue to benefit from the Hong Kong Disneyland project tremendously. “The project has already created 11,400 jobs during construction. Another 18,000 jobs are expected to be created in phases by opening. In the first 40 years after opening, Hong Kong Disneyland is forecast to bring about a huge economic benefit of $148 billion to Hong Kong as a whole,” said Mr. Tang.

Noting that the project will be completed less than six years since its commencement five years ago in late 1999, the Financial Secretary said, “Never has a Disneyland been built so fast, achieving the same quality as other Disney theme parks and resorts.” The project will also be completed within budget. The Financial Secretary said that Government would continue to render full support for a most successful opening.

Families visiting the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will be taken on a magical journey through three themed lands, a charming Main Street U.S.A and two Disney-style hotels.

“Hong Kong Disneyland is designed for guests to leave the real world and enter one of fantasy, imagination and adventure,” said Wing Chao, Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific Development, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Executive Vice President, Master Planning, Architecture & Design, Walt Disney Imagineering.

“When the guests first enter the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, they will notice immediately the lush landscape, colorful signage, and decorative light fixtures. With the classic Disneyland design, combined with fun and exciting attractions created specifically for Hong Kong, guests from all around Asia will experience the unique Disney brand of entertainment, creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

Captivating Featured Attractions Revealed – Jungle River Cruise and Festival of the Lion King

In addition to the opening day announcement, Hong Kong Disneyland executives revealed two of the many featured attractions expected to enthrall thousands of guests on a daily basis: Jungle River Cruise and Festivals of the Lion King.

Disney Imagineers, Tom Morris, Vice President and Executive Producer in charge of Hong Kong Disneyland and Skip Lange, Vice President, Executive Production Designer in charge of Jungle River Cruise, revealed the conceptual renderings and storyboards of this adventurous journey through an African jungle that will be part of the exotic Adventureland experience.

An expansive river in the heart of Adventureland is set to become a spectacular centerpiece and the perfect setting for Jungle River Cruise. Guests will depart on exploration boats for an exotic journey along the waterways of some of the world’s most hidden regions.

Mystery and intrigue lurk around every bend as the riverboats travel a winding route filled with fascinating sights, sounds, surprises and fun.

An intrepid boat skipper will guide guests on a journey through busy river rafts; elephants, frolicking in water; quaking temple ruins; invading gorillas; erupting geysers and some very mischievous hippos.

“Hong Kong Disneyland’s Jungle River Cruise brings more of the adventure ‘on board’ and allows guests to get closer to the action as they navigate through this intriguing jungle,” said Morris. “We have added new features and surprises to this attraction to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests in Hong Kong.”

Hong Kong Disneyland is also delighted to present Festival of the Lion King, a joyous and high energy spectacle created through song, dance, puppetry, specialty performances and evocative imagery.

Ten years after its release, Disney’s The Lion King still holds the hearts and minds of audiences around the world. This animated masterpiece, which has become one of the most popular of all Disney classics, is now being brought to life in a unique Broadway-style theatrical spectacle created especially for Hong Kong Disneyland.

The audience is in the middle of the show as a troupe of tribal performers arrives and transforms the Theatre in the Wild into a colorful festival setting. Giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap! The entire savanna comes to life as the music soars. This is “Festival of the Lion King” – Disney storytelling at its best in a kingdom brimming with fun, wonder and adventure.

“Festival of The Lion King” will be unlike anything our guests have ever experienced in Hong Kong and will be the first Broadway-style production to be staged in Hong Kong on a permanent basis. The show will allow families to join with their circle of loved ones while marveling at this breathtaking spectacle and timeless story, miraculously brought to life by a cast of over dynamic 20 performers,” said Laurie Jordan, Vice President of Entertainment for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Hong Kong Disneyland Admission Pricing

Guests will be able to immerse themselves in this magical Hong Kong Disneyland experience with an admission price of HK$295 per adult during the week and HK$350 on weekends and peak days. Children’s tickets (aged between three and 11 years) will be priced at HK$210 during the week and HK$250 on weekends and peak holidays. Senior citizens tickets (over the age of 65) can enjoy the Disney experience at a special rate of HK$170 during the week and HK$200 on weekends and peak days. Children under the age of three are free. Peak days will include Hong Kong public holidays, summer school holidays (i.e. July and August) and the Golden Weeks (1st week in May and October every year).

“We believe that the ticket prices for Hong Kong Disneyland represent excellent value for our guests who can enjoy a full day of adventure including an array of attractions, world-class hotels accommodations along with special dining and our unique evening firework spectacular. Our extensive research validated that our target customers understand Disney is a premium brand offering unique experiences not currently available in the market. When we open in less than a year, we look forward to welcoming guests of all ages, and from around the region to a great family vacation destination and to a world of fantasy, imagination and adventure," said Roy Tan Hardy, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland.

Experiencing the Magic

A Hong Kong Disneyland admission ticket will include a full day’s program of magical adventures across Main Street U.S.A. and three themed lands - Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland. There are no additional charges for individual attractions or entertainment.

Guests will first enter Hong Kong Disneyland through Main Street, U.S.A., designed after quintessential small town America and evoking a time gone by when the gas lamp was giving way to electricity and the “horseless carriage” was the latest novelty.

Its nostalgic design will help transport guests from the every day world into a “magic kingdom” where they can then venture into the three themed lands.

Rising proudly above Main Street U.S.A. is Sleeping Beauty Castle, the gateway to Fantasyland where the colorful, whimsical, “once-upon-a-time” settings of Disney’s animated classics come to life.

Here guests can indulge their childhood fantasies by riding on Disney’s world famous “Dumbo the Flying Elephant”; the “Mad Hatter Tea Cups”, the majestic Cinderella Carousel and “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.”

Guests will also be able to enjoy the 3-D animated feature film, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, that will take the audience through an interactive experience featuring the head Mouse and other favorite Disney characters.

In Fantasy Gardens, a unique attraction designed specially for Hong Kong Disneyland, guests will have the opportunity to meet their all time favorite characters including Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and many of their Disney friends.

Over in Adventureland, guests will begin a journey into the exotic regions of the Asian and African jungles. Here guests can take a daring ride on a jungle river cruise, and explore many other attractions including a whole island devoted to the “King of the Jungle” – Tarzan – and his rustic tree-house.

Adventureland is also home to the 2,200 seat Theater-in-the-Wild, which is one of the most technically advanced theatrical venues in any Disney Park. It is here that guests can take in the Disney musical stage spectacular – Festivals of the Lion King.

For guests seeking a hint of the future, Tomorrowland will offer a world filled with science fiction and soaring space adventures. Taking a whole new approach to Tomorrowland that will be different from any other Disney theme park, Walt Disney Imagineers have created an entire land that becomes an Intergalactic Spaceport – and every restaurant, shop and attraction will be filled with robots, rocket ships or floating planets. Guests will be treated to the warp-speed adventure of “Space Mountain”; fly their own flying saucer in the attraction “Orbitron” and blast off with “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters”.

Dining and Merchantainment

In addition to the Park’s featured attractions and signature entertainment, Hong Kong Disneyland will offer a diverse range of food at eight restaurants, three of which will be table service restaurants and five of which will be self-service eateries, totaling 2,900 seats.

Each restaurant will be themed to match the unique, immersive atmosphere of its land, behind Hong Kong Disneyland’s belief that food is part of the guest experience and of the “magic at work” inside the Park.

Hong Kong Disneyland’s food and beverage team has carefully designed the Park’s menus to feature popular dishes from different parts of Asia – from the Northwest, the Jiangnan region and Guangdong province in Mainland China, to Southeast Asia and Japan. Different kitchens in the Park’s various restaurants will feature different styles of cooking, such as Steam Kitchens, which will serve dim sum and steamed dishes, Wok Kitchens, which will serve stir fries, as well as Curry, Noodle, and BBQ Kitchens.

Guests looking for a special Hong Kong Disneyland memento will be able to indulge in 11 specialty stores selling an exclusive and unique collection of Disney memorabilia and souvenirs. Over 5,000 kinds of products will be available - ranging from plush, apparel and confectionaries to souvenirs, most of which will only be available at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney-style Hotels

The resort will feature two Disney-style hotels – the flagship Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, comprising 400 rooms, is set in grand Victorian design built on the shores of the South China Sea. The Disneyland Hotel is patterned after the Grand Floridian Beach Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The hotel will feature two restaurants, several specialty shops, a lounge and tea area, a spa, 15 suites, meeting and convention space (including a grand ballroom), a wedding gazebo and lushly landscaped grounds that will feature formal gardens and a maze in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head.

Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, designed with an Art Deco exterior and features motifs of Disney's world-famous mouse, is a tribute to the heyday of the movie-making capital of the world.

This sleek resort hotel will incorporate elements of Streamline Moderne architecture while capturing the whimsical spirit of Hollywood - not only in its design, but in an outdoor plaza of walkways named after famous Hollywood freeways and boulevards, a piano-shaped swimming pool and iconic representations of well-known Southern California landmarks.

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Incredibles Sequel Talk? Maybe, Maybe Not

With Pixar’s CGI hit The Incredibles continuing to smash up the box office (it’s made $177.8 million to date), the talk of a possible sequel has already, inevitably come up. In an exclusive interview, Now Playing Magazine spoke to the film’s story supervisor Mark Andrews about the possibility of an Incredibles 2.

“More robots! Just to see Bob smash robots to pieces, hundreds of thousands of them, would be really fun!” confesses Andrews about what he’d like to see in a part two, while admitting that sequel talk during the film’s production was limited. “We were so focused on just what this story was going to be [during production]. And the whole thing in the industry is ‘leave them wanting more.’”

Andrews, who also worked with Incredibles writer-director Brad Bird on the classic The Iron Giant, explains that the filmmaker originally didn’t even want the small hint of a sequel that the film currently ends on.

“Brad’s original ending was leaving them wanting more,” says Andrews. “It’s kind of like everything’s going to be fine, and then zip, [it’s over]. So we have that, and we added on [to it]. I said, ‘Brad, we’ve got to end with another villain, and they’ve got to pull their shirt open and we go into the logo!’ And he’s like, ‘Ahhhh, I don’t know.’ And I kept working on him, and finally he’s like, ‘Totally, this is what we need. Yeah, we totally need this kind of ending.’ So we know the story continues. Whether it does or not really doesn’t matter, but that they’re back in action and that they’ve gotten out of this kind of dark ages of super heroism, that’s the good thing.”

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Desperate move likely would get Walt's approval

What would Walt Do?

Two days after the loudest towel drop in TV history, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission posed the question. The fact Walt Disney has been dragged into the circus proves his corporate heirs have succeeded.

Michael Powell is threatening fines. Scores of us are writing about it. Millions of you are reading about it. ESPN summarily has declared Nicollette Sheridan its latest Dream Job winner, as long as she agrees to read NBA scores wearing only a towel.

Given all that, the suits at Walt Disney Co. probably are dancing like a bunch of Tinkerbells. They own ABC, which has Monday Night Football, which concocted the biggest controversy since Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunctioned.

A lot of people are re-arguing the decency angle. If America is this prudish over a little skin, how will it ever get invited into the European Union?

We can debate that until Walt Disney thaws and comes back to life, but it misses the point. You may not mind if your 12-year-old tunes in for a football game and instead sees Sheridan seduce Terrell Owens, but a lot of parents do.

"If that's the way they're going to promote this, I hope they never have us again on Monday Night Football," Colts coach and concerned parent Tony Dungy said.

What sounds like criticism is sweet music to ABC's ears. The network wants you to believe it did not know anyone would be upset. It rushed out an apology, which probably was written before Owens was handed his script.

T.O.'s not exactly known for restraint and decorum, so you can't blame him for playing along. He's probably just mad they didn't let him get out a Sharpie and autograph Sheridan. Maybe that will be in the director's cut.

The NFL certainly is not above hypocrisy and sexploitation, but it does not review the weekly MNF intros before they run. The skit was taped in the Eagles' locker room, so maybe word should have gone further up the chain of command.

Paul Tagliabue's face is still red from having to appear before a Senate committee nine months ago to explain why he's not Larry Flynt.

I doubt he would have thought the free publicity would be worth it. But to assume ABC is shocked at the furor is to assume network executives are complete idiots.

How could they not know?

Were they out of the galaxy during the Super Bowl halftime fiasco? Do they think MNF is on a five-second delay in case John Madden gets stuck in the bathroom on his bus? Did they assume the FCC hit CBS with a $550,000 parking fine?

As Powell told CNBC, "It would seem to me that while we get a lot of broadcasting companies complaining about indecency enforcement, they seem to be continuing to be willing to keep the issue at the forefront, keep it hot and steamy to get financial gains and the free advertising it provides."

If only we could charge for this advertising space, ABC would be glad to write the check.

Powell tried to play the guilt card by asking whether Disney would be proud of his company.

He must know that ratings justify everything.

MNF's numbers have been flat. Desperate times call for Desperate Housewives. How many people will tune in next week just to see whether Teri Hatcher tries to wipe that grimace off Bill Belichick's face?

It's played out just like ABC/Disney hoped. Would the founder be proud?

Proud?

If old Walt had lived to be a modern-day TV executive, he'd probably give everybody a raise.

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A.G. Edwards lifts Disney's price target

A.G. Edwards lifted its stock price target for Walt Disney to $30 from $28 after the media and entertainment giant's 'strong' fourth quarter and 'good' 2005 outlook prompted an increase in earnings estimates. Analyst Michael Kupinski kept his rating on the stock at 'buy,' but raised his 2005 earnings estimate to $1.22 a share from $1.18. 'The fourth-quarter results indicate momentum building into the fiscal first quarter, which we believe could extend through 2005 and into 2006,' Kupinski said. The stock, a component of the Dow industrials, was trading up 30 cents, or 1.1 percent, at $26.96.

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Eisner testimony countered

Walt Disney Chairman George Mitchell said he was asked to become company president before the job was offered to Michael Ovitz, disputing testimony by CEO Michael Eisner.

Testifying on Tuesday in a shareholder lawsuit seeking to recover Ovitz's $140 million severance, Mitchell, a former U.S. senator, said he spent six months in 1995 talking to Eisner and company board members before turning down the chance to become Eisner's second in command. Eisner testified last week that he never formally offered Mitchell the job.

"I interpreted it as an offer to me, subject to board approval, and I declined," Mitchell said at the trial in Georgetown, Del. He said he agreed to become a Disney director at that time. Mitchell took over as chairman in March of this year after 45% of shareholders withheld votes from Eisner's re-election bid.

Investors say in the Delaware Chancery Court lawsuit that some current and former Disney directors, including Mitchell, should be held financially responsible for Ovitz's severance because they failed to properly oversee his hiring and firing. They want the $140 million returned to Disney.

In pretrial testimony, Eisner said he fired Ovitz because he failed to make the transition to corporate executive and alienated his colleagues. Ovitz is a co-founder of the Creative Artists Agency.

Eisner also testified that Mitchell was among a half-dozen candidates he considered to replace Frank Wells as president. Wells died in a helicopter crash in April 1994.

The 62-year-old Eisner said he gave "serious consideration" to adding Mitchell to Disney's executive ranks and shied away because of Mitchell's lack of business and entertainment experience.

Mitchell disputed Eisner's account, saying he met with Disney employees, toured the theme parks and met with board members before declining the post.

"I had many discussions with Mr. Eisner" about the president's job, Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Eisner called members of the board in August 1995 to say he was hiring Ovitz. Mitchell added that he didn't get a detailed description of Ovitz's compensation before the announcement.

Mitchell said he questioned at a September board meeting whether the stock-option grant Ovitz was receiving was excessive. "I was told he was taking a huge reduction in pay to come to the Walt Disney Company," Mitchell said.

Mitchell, a lawyer, acknowledged that he never received a written breakdown of what the options might be worth if Ovitz were forced out of the company under a so-called non-fault termination.

"I knew it would be a large amount of money," he said.

As relations between Eisner and Ovitz deteriorated in 1996, Mitchell said, Disney general counsel Sanford Litvack advised directors there were no grounds to fire Ovitz in a way that denied him severance. "I had a high opinion of Mr. Litvack. He's an able attorney," he said. "If he felt there had been grounds to fire him for cause, he would have brought it to our attention."

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Milestone Memories Sweepstakes

Make sure to stop by Filene's while doing your Holiday shopping, Why? do you ask...well for one they have the greatest looking Mickey Mouse plush toys, Four to be exact, a Steamboat Willie, Sorcerer Mickey, Mickey in his Mickey Mouse Club outfit and Flare Mickey in his Tux each one retails at 15.99 and they are 24 inches tall. The second is a sweepstakes (no purchase necessary) for a chance to win one of (10) Grand Prize Four Night/Five Day Walt Disney World vacation for eight valued $8,680 1st Prize A complete set of four collector's edition 5ft Milestone Mickey plush characters valued $1,000 and 2nd Prize A 19 inch, color Mickey Television valued $149. Go check it out.

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Leaving 'Disney On The Potomac'

The other day, while reading about the big Disney trial, I learned that Michael Eisner had offered the Number Two job to Colin Powell before he gave it to Michael Ovitz. So, if Powell had accepted, he never would have become George Bush's Secretary of State. Instead of worrying about Afghanistan and Iraq, he might have been in charge of "Shrek" and "Extreme Makeover." I started wondering how different Colin Powell's life would have been if he had gone to Hollywood instead of to Washington. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it wouldn't have been very different at all.

How do the working conditions in the boardroom of Disney compare to those in the war room of the White House? The Eisner-Ovitz trial portrays Disney as a place run by a secretive leader who expects absolute loyalty from those below him, and who bristles at any answers to questions other than "yes, sir." It's a place where a bunch of Scrooge McDuck-like rich men work with other rich men who are out of touch with the reality of people not in their financial bracket. Hmmm...

When Ovitz "resigned" from Disney, he got millions of dollars. Now that Colin Powell has "resigned," he'll give speeches and write a book and get, well, millions of dollars.

The similarities don't stop there. About 50 years ago, every week on TV, Walt Disney would show the audience drawings and models of his dream — Disneyland. With a pointer, he'd indicate on his map where exciting things would eventually be: "Adventureland will be over here. Mark Twain's riverboat will go down this river. Fantasyland will be right here," etc. It was like Colin Powell sitting in the U.N., using his pointer to show us where the Iraqis were hiding their weapons of mass destruction. Both men were pointing to things that didn't exist. The big difference, of course, is that Disneyland eventually became real.

Traditionally, the Disney brand of entertainment celebrated an America that never really existed — an America where every family owns its own house with a picket fence, where everybody has a good job, where everybody gets along, where there is no war or fear of war, and people's biggest problem is what to name the new puppy. And in those movies, those who tried to point out that not everything was perfect would be ridiculed or cast as villains. It was a lot like President Bush's campaign speeches. If Powell could put up with those, he probably could have survived a stint at Disney.

In fact, the Fantasyland of the Bush administration has not been very different from that of Disneyland: Fun rides, pretty exhibits, and lots of "real Americans" with down-home accents. It's all about pretending that the real world doesn't exist. If you say over and over again that Dumbo can fly, then people will swear they saw that elephant up in the sky. The Administration has taken the country on a fast-spinning "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride," hoping that we'd get so dizzy that we wouldn't notice what's really going on. And it worked for 51 percent of the people.

Of course, not everything in the administration has been a copy of Disney. Like most political groups, they have, understandably, dropped the tale of Pinocchio and his lie-detector nose from their list of favorite stories. Also, if the administration re-made "Bambi," there would be significant differences. In this day and age, no Republican would ever consider a hunter a bad guy. And those who cried at Bambi's plight would be characterized as "girly men" who probably also care about other "nonsensical things" like the environment.

So, how comfortable would Colin Powell have been at Disney? He probably wouldn't have been any less comfortable than he's been in this administration. On those rare occasions when they allowed him to come out of hiding, he revealed that despite his past as a soldier, he wasn't 100 percent behind Mr. Bush's gun-toting vision of Frontierland.

Unfortunately for Powell — and the rest of the world — there is no Realityland in the White House. And I get the sense that as he walks away from this administration, like so many others, he'll worry about Tomorrowland.
 
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Yo, Eisner! That's 'Sir Harvey' to you!

The bows Harvey Weinstein is used to getting from Hollywood VIPs are going to get lower. And more reverent.

The Miramax co-chairman was made an honorary Commander of the British Empire on Monday night in a ceremony that was also a declaration of independence from His Majesty, Disney CEO Michael Eisner.

"We have 65 BAFTAs, 75 Oscars, $2 billion in assets and hundreds of millions in profits," said Weinstein after he was presented a cross by British Consul Sir Phillip Thomas at his Manhattan penthouse.

"And, still, Michael Eisner won't renew my contract."

But if you doubted that Weinstein was fixed to strike out on his own, check out the party's assembled moneymen: Wishing him well were Cablevision's James Dolan and Comcast's Brian Roberts (who both made nice despite Comcast's having beat out Cablevision for the Mets Channel), Quadrangle's Steve Rattner, the Blackstone Group's Pete Petersen and Infinity Broadcasting's John Sykes.

P.S.: It was a slimmer Weinstein who accepted nods from his fellow czars of capitalism, thanks to CARE packages from Giuseppe Cipriani. The restaurateur put together a menu that helped Weinstein lose 80 pounds.

"If he loses another 20, I think we'll do a book," he told us, "the Cipriani Diet."

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Roy Disney dumps Calf. film studio lot

The buyer and the terms weren't disclosed.

The complex was bought by a "prominent investment group" in Southern California, Shamrock Holdings of California Inc. said in a statement. Shamrock is run by Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and son of Roy O. Disney, co-founders of Walt Disney Co., the world's second-largest media company.

Shamrock developed Manhattan Beach Studios, which consists of 14 sound stages and eight office buildings, in 1998 and it has been managed by Raleigh Enterprises, the longest continuously operating studio in the U.S.

Famous Players Fiction Studios, the studio's predecessor, began operations in 1915.

Manhattan Beach Studios provides the settings for such television shows as "Boston Legal," "CSI: Miami and "The O.C.," Shamrock said.

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Is the Mouse Out of Its Hole?

Suddenly, it may just be that the Mouse can fly. At least that's what a growing number of analysts are starting to say about Disney, long a Wall Street wallflower.

On Nov. 19, A.G. Edwards' Michael Kupinski increased his stock-price target, saying Disney's recent performance "capped the end of a solid recovery year." Kupinski projected that Disney, which has traded in the $22-to-$26 range for most of the past six months, would hit $30 a share, a $2 increase on his previous appraisal. That news helped lift the stock almost 2%, to $27.19 on Nov. 19, and to sustain incremental gains through Nov. 23, when it closed at $27.32. (A.G. Edwards owns Disney stock; Kupinski does not.)

TACKLING THE NFL.  Kupinski's bullish perspective came just days after Disney reported a 24% hike in net income, to $516 million (25 cents per share), in the quarter ended Sept. 30, vs. $415 million (20 cents per share) in the same quarter last year. The Magic Kingdom also reported full-year earnings of $2.3 billion for the fiscal year ($1.12 per share), vs. last year's $1.3 billion (62 cents per share). Minus a small tax gain, the $1.08 earnings-per-share number beat the $1.06 First Call consensus. And Disney executives have reiterated that they expect to see double-digit growth in fiscal 2005 earnings.

Even with the revival, the media giant's earnings are still below their 1997-98 levels, points out Fulcrum analyst Richard Greenfield. (Neither Greenfield nor Fulcrum owns Disney stock.) Disney's magic was at its most potent on the Street in 1998, when it hit $124.56 before a 3:1 split later that year.

"The key issue now," Greenfield stresses, "becomes growth from here forward." The analyst, who has a neutral rating on the stock, sees several issues Disney needs to address, including renewing a potentially pricey NFL contract for its ABC and ESPN networks (see BW Online, 11/17/04, "The NFL's Big Score").

With Disney's motion-picture division also showing a weak year compared to the boffo performance of 2003, Greenfield figures the Mouse House desperately needs to renew its soon-to-expire distribution agreement with Pixar. The computer-animation powerhouse produced 2003's Finding Nemo for Disney and this year's The Incredibles. "Disney needs Pixar more than Pixar needs Disney," asserts Greenfield, who adds that Pixar will likely try to renew its agreement sometime in mid-2005, when the Disney board is expected to name a successor for retiring CEO Michael Eisner.

HIGHER TARGETS.  Fortunately for Disney, some of its long-suffering units are finally starting to show some life. At ABC, which last year lost $300 million, freshman show Desperate Housewives alone should generate earnings of $104.7 million this year, according to Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen, who sees the turnaround largely priced into the share price. Currently trading at around 10.2 times next year's estimated earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes, and amortization (EBIDTA), Disney is in line with other Big Media outfits.

Reif Cohen has increased her estimate for next year's EPS to $1.23, a 14% hike on her previous estimate of $1.20. Cash flow could suffer from added expenses at the theme-park unit and some of the newer TV shows that weren't included in the 2004 figures. (Merrill Lynch has done business with Disney in the last 12 months. Cohen does not own the stock personally.)

The overall picture leads Reif Cohen to hint that Disney could be headed to $30 a share -- although she wouldn't be "comfortable with fair market value beyond $30-ish," which would be a multiple of 24 times her 2005 EPS target of $1.23. In its mostly strong years between 1987 and 1997, Disney traded at an average p-e of 21.7, says Prudential Equity Group analyst Katherine Styponias, who notes that it sometimes soared to 27. Styponias has lifted her target price from $28 to $32. (Sytponias does not own the stock.)

FAIR WINDS AND FOUL.  Disney has room to grow in its networks group, Styponias figures, which includes ABC, as well as cable operations ESPN, Disney, and other channels, where advertising and ratings are growing. Moreover, she says a rebound in bookings by Disney's theme parks could lift EPS by as much as 20% in 2005. Despite the flagship Orlando park having suffered a three-day loss of business due to hurricanes and reduced hours on five other days, the overall theme-parks operation still managed to report an increase in fiscal 2004 revenues of 11%, to $8.3 billion, and an 8% hike in operating revenues, to $1.08 billion.

So, has Mickey found his mojo? Could be. Analysts who until recently were unhappy with the Magic Kingdom's numbers, strategy, and leadership are suddenly thinking the stock has some zippedy-doo-dah. A lot can change -- and evidently has -- when folks begin returning to theme parks and tuning in to a hit show like Desperate Housewives. In the entertainment world, surprises sometimes come quicker than you can say "Jiminy Cricket."

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Make-a-Wish sends Millington child to Disney World

Having recently completed the promotion circuit for their blockbuster movie sequels, super heroes Spiderman and Shrek swung into Millington last week to grant the wish of a very special middle schooler.

DeMarius Hines, an 11-year-old Millington Middle School student, is at Disney World this week with his mother Stephanie Wiggins, grandmother Alma Wiggins and sister Keosha Wiggins, courtesy of Make-A-Wish of the Mid-South.

"His second choice was to go to WWF Smackdown," DeMarius' mother recalled last Wednesday, as she waited for the Make-A-Wish staff to arrive at her home.

DeMarius has cerebral palsy, a chronic functional disorder caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, pregnancy or shortly thereafter. Because of the disorder's severity, DeMarius qualified to have a wish granted by Make-A-Wish.

Brooke Castleman, Make-A-Wish master wish granter, said every wish costs approximately $5,000 and is typically sponsored by a corporation, organization or individual. DeMarius' wish was paid for by Exel Transportation of Memphis.

Christi Fox, Exel director of Accounting Services, said the company likes to support children with illnesses.

"We have a lot of parents here who are thankful that their children are healthy," she said. "We wanted to do something especially for children, to make a sick child smile."

When Make-A-Wish representatives arrived at DeMarius' house last week, they brought several presents, including a luggage travel set, a mini karaoke machine, a dancing Mickey Mouse toy and several SpongeBob Squarepants-themed presents. The team also brought a camera and a portable compact disc player for Keosha.

"This is great," Stephanie said. "We've never been to Disney World. It is a blessing."

The family left Saturday for the weeklong vacation. They will stay, all expenses paid, at the Give Kids the World resort, which features a swimming pool, an ice cream palace, daily entertainment and activities, and a restaurant inside a gingerbread house.

"He's excited about the gifts they brought him," Stephanie said Friday, "and he can't wait until the morning when we leave."

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Ip quells fears of rooms crisis for Disneyland visitors 

Cheaper entrance fees might attract more tourists to Hong Kong Disneyland, but high accommodation costs resulting from a lack of hotel rooms will only drive them away, legislator Selina Chow warned.

However, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip assured the legislator there would be enough rooms to cater for the influx of tourists to the theme park when it opens next September.

``There are at present about 43,000 rooms available in Hong Kong. By the end of 2005, the number of hotels will increase from 100 to 120, providing about 10,000 additional rooms,'' Ip told legislators on Wednesday adding that the government has urged hotels to maintain reasonable room rates.

The Hong Kong park will have the cheapest entry fees of all Disney parks. As announced on Monday, these are set at HK$350 for weekends and on peak days compared with HK$393 for Tokyo, HK$427 for Orlando, Florida, HK$388 for Anaheim, California, and HK$383 for EuroDisney near Paris.

To ensure a smooth launch and operation, five working groups were set up under the Disneyland Readiness Committee established in May.

These deal with transport, site management and security, emergency response, communications and promotion, permits and licenses and opening events and arrangements. Ip said the transportation group will consider a suggestion of allowing cross-border buses to travel directly to the park.

The government expects the park to attract more than five million visitors in its first year and to generate HK$148 billion in economic benefits for Hong Kong over 40 years.

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Actors' Playhouse in front of the line for major Disney musical

The mega-musical has -- finally -- arrived at a theater near you.

For nearly two decades theater operators around the country wondered when the blockbuster-sized new Broadway hits would become available for local productions, and who would get them first. Time wore on and Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and The Lion King have marched on, and on, and on, through national and international tours.

And the stock of new hit shows available to regional theaters dwindled -- until last summer, when the Disney Co. released its stage version of Beauty and the Beast to schools, community and professional theaters.

The show marked its 10th anniversary on Broadway last spring, one of 15 Disney-produced companies still playing around the world. But except for an ice show version, Beauty and the Beast has been pulled from the U.S. touring circuit.

At the Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables, producer Barbara Stein and artistic director David Arisco quickly said yes when word came in from Music Theatre International (MTI), the show's licensing agent. The show opened this weekend as the commercial anchor to the playhouse's season.

"We told them that if any big musicals become available to put us on their A-list," Arisco said. "Evidently that's what happened, because Beauty and the Beast is the first one that's available. That excited us because for the last couple of years we've gotten into this holiday family musical theme with The Sound of Music, Annie and The King and I."

Such revivals have been the staples of regional theater for decades, more so than in previous generations because of the blockbuster musicals' extended lives in first run.

When directors like Arisco convinced their producers to venture off the beaten path in search of new audiences, the results have been mixed. Stein says that revues such as Smokey Joe's Café and Four Guys Named Jose, and Una Mujer Named Maria brought some younger, and ethnic, first-timers to the Miracle. But they're selective and don't always come back for the traditional fare.

Reaching beyond that is more than just risky. Violet and Floyd Collins were two artistically high-achieving shows that earned critical raves and won their respective years' Carbonell Award for best musical. Both were box-office failures.

But they and other shows raised the Actors' Playhouse profile nationally as well as regionally.

Two years ago, Arisco was mulling the possibility of mounting Little Shop of Horrors, and contacted MTI about the rights. "The folks at MTI told me `you know, that's not going to happen, but ...'"

It wasn't going to happen because a Broadway revival was in the planning stages. But the producers were looking for a theater outside of New York to try out the show, and the connection steered the production to Coral Gables. The revival was directed and managed by the New York interests but used the theater's creative and production staff as well.

"When the Little Shop thing happened, a bunch of people who had no clue who we were came in and saw our space and worked with our people and found out we had a very professional attitude and lofty goals," Arisco says.

That ended up opening doors for other shows, and allowing Arisco some unusual creative license. He was allowed to do his own production with a local cast for The Water Coolers, and tinkered with the ethnic makeup of two characters in the current Shear Madness.

Now marking its 10th anniversary at the Miracle, the Actors' Playhouse has become the premier musical troupe among South Florida theaters. The commercial shows Beauty and the Beast and another Disney spectacle, Aida later this season, anchor the 600-seat main stage, with smaller-scale favorites like The Water Coolers and Shear Madness in the 300-seat Balcony Theatre.

The company's annual operating budget now hovers around the $4 million mark. Full-scale musicals that cost $220,000 five years ago, like the award-winning West Side Story, today cost more than $300,000 for the same production values, Arisco says.

But if the reaction to Beauty is any indication, theaters of every stripe across the nation are eager to take up the challenge. Indeed, the Miracle production, while it is probably the season's biggest attraction, is not the first on the local scene.

Beauty and the Beast was the first sellout hit in J.P. Taravella High School history in Coral Springs earlier this month, with a production that cost more than $20,000 to mount.

Taravella is one of many high schools presenting the full-blown Disney this school year. MTI's bookings now stretch to more than 300 schools, amateur community theaters and professional regional theaters. MTI lists 70 different productions scheduled now through February. They include the nation's largest regional playhouses, such as the Marriott Lincolnshire outside Chicago and Atlanta's Theater of the Stars, as well as the Kalamazoo Civic Players outside Detroit and a high school in Anchorage, Alaska.

Les Miserables has been available for amateur concerts but is not yet on the market for full-scale productions. Yet, except for those shows still running in New York or on tour, the era of the Broadway mega-musical is considered to be over. It's only a matter of time before they're opened to regional theaters, most of whom will try to find ways to reinvent them on a smaller scale.

The special effects of Beauty, although challenging, aren't at the spectacle level of other blockbusters. Arisco hints that Aida will undergo more re-interpretation, focusing more on the story and less on the physical size.

"At this point, this seems crazy to be doing both in the same season," Arisco says. "But they're very different, it's exciting to do two shows -- one still on Broadway and the other which toured recently -- where we can do terrific top-notch productions at a ticket price that's a regional production, not Broadway."

The price range for Beauty and the Beast is $70-$105 in New York for the holidays, compared to $37.50-$45 in the Gables.

Arisco hadn't planned to mount two Disney musicals in one season, but Aida became available just as he lost a bid for a more adult-themed musical as a counterweight to Beauty. The resulting buzz centers on a Disney-dominated season. Arisco, however, sees them as appealing to two different audiences.

"I think we can make [Aida] our own, visually and acting-wise. It can be more vibrant and passionate and really tell a love story gone tragic; we can do a full-fledged tragedy with this great Elton John music," he says.

What scares him is the prospect of a call to ask if the Miracle wants to move up to the next level with a show like Miss Saigon.

"Oh, God," he sighs. "If I thought it would pay the bills, and if I have the staff I need, the answer would be yes every time because it's really important for us now to maintain the level we've reached. The problem is, there's still no guarantee."

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Bye, Bye IBM

Disneyland Paris - When the Disneyland Park opened its gates in 1992 numerous major international, European and French companies were going to extra lengths to present themselves as sponsors of the resort or selected attractions in the theme park to guests. Even so the Disneyland Park became Europe's tourist destionation number one the financial failure of the group behind the resort and connected negative press reports scared away numerous sponsors when it was time to renew contracts, resulting in numerous former sponsored attractions loosing their endorsement, especially as several new sponsors did support the resort but not selected attractions, e.g. Hasbro or Kellog's. One of the original sponsors was IBM which sponsored Star Tours and the Interactive Astroport Services at its exit - sponsorED as the name of IBM was dropped out of the official park map effective November 1st and the new summer brochures no longer list the company as sponsor. This leaves Star Tours without sponsor and might be an explanation why the expected major rehab of the outdated and detoriating Astroport area, that was abondened by IBM years ago and never got updated is no longer found in any official schedule even so it was expected for next spring after originally rumored already for 2004.

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Walt Disney "buy," target price raised

Analyst Michael A Kupinski of AG Edwards reiterates his "buy" rating on The Walt Disney Company, while raising his estimates for the company. The price objective has been raised from $28 to $30.

In a research note dated November 19 and published yesterday, the analyst mentions that the company reported its F4Q04 operating EPS ahead of the estimates and the consensus. The analyst expects Walt Disney's growth momentum to continue in the forthcoming years. The EPS estimate for FY05 has been raised from $1.18 to $1.22.

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Disney Cruise Line Magical Holiday Cruises: Something for Everyone on Santa's List

With a first-ever 10-night holiday cruise, a private island transformed into a 'winter wonderland' and two Disney cruise ships full of holiday magic, Disney Cruise Line has a pixie- dusted celebration lined up for all December cruise vacations this season.

Beginning at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla., festive holiday decor and Disney characters dressed in their season's best await all who board a Magical Holiday sailing. On board the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests find the ships decked with boughs of holly and filled with holiday-themed entertainment and activities for the entire family.

On Board

Complete with 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260 feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon, Magical Holidays activities, entertainment and dining continue the magic at sea with:

  • A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium lobby, where "snow" magically falls
  • A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids
  • Special family time, when families join together to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses
  • A Disney Cruise Line rendition of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by the main stage performers
  • Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms
  • Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services
  • A ship-wide party to ring in 2005 and a New Year's Day tailgate party

At Castaway Cay

Additionally, Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay, located in the Bahamas, is literally a magical wonderland, where a new themed decor package has transformed the sandy island into a "snowy" holiday hideaway.

At a balmy 73 degrees, the forecast calls for snow flurries, ideal for Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts) who greet guests as they step off the gangway onto the island. Guests will also find a 40-foot tall tropical Christmas tree, carolers and a sleigh full of presents in the middle of this Bahamian paradise. Disney characters, dressed in holiday island styles, sign autographs and pose for photos to the beat of holiday tunes while the island's tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Rates, Dates & Itineraries

Three-night cruises depart every Thursday (Dec. 2 ,9, 16, 23 & 30), while four-night cruises depart every Sunday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26) with calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409 and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruise vacations depart every Saturday (Dec. 4, 11 & 28) and start at $829, alternating between a western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Disney's first-ever 10-night cruise vacation departs Saturday, Dec. 18 with rates starting at $1899.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable cruise experience not found anywhere else. During the summer of 2005, Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a pre- or post-stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit http://www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at (888) DCL-2500.

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Downloadable PC Game Based upon a Walt Disney Pictures Presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios Film "The Incredibles"

Disney Online and Pixar Animation Studios have unleashed "The Incredibles: Escape from Nomanisan Island," a new action-adventure downloadable PC game available from the Internet (www.TheIncredibles.com). The game features Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and their kids, Violet and Dash, the superhero stars of the blockbuster Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film "The Incredibles," as they try to escape Nomanisan Island while facing wave after wave of the evil forces of their foe, Syndrome. Fans are invited to download the game to test their superpowers in four environments and 20 levels of non-stop game action.

Players can get a free trial and purchase the game for $19.95 at www.TheIncredibles.com.

"The Incredibles" downloadable game shares many of the film's settings and begins with an escape from Syndrome's secret base on Nomanisan Island. Play continues as the family battles through the dark caverns of a volcano, the thick of an untamed jungle and along rocky beaches before ultimately facing Syndrome himself.

Players can switch characters at any point in the game, optimizing their powers for rapidly changing game challenges and differing opponents. Mr. Incredible features a powerful boulder throw. Mrs. Incredible packs her signature stretch punch. Dash pelts enemies with a rapid-fire rock throw and Violet uses her force field to protect her family from harm.

"The Internet has created a whole new category of casual gamers who are interested in high-quality games that they can either play online or download onto their computers," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online. "`The Incredibles'" marks our foray into downloadable games. We couldn't have asked for a better property to kick off this new venture."

THQ is also publishing a full line of "The Incredibles" videogames available on PS2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance as well as PC/Mac.

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The Salvation Army And Disneyhand Treat 2,400 To Thanksgiving Dinner At The Los Angeles Convention Center

This year, as the title sponsor of The Salvation Army Southern California's Thanksgiving Eve Dinner, DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, will supply 2,400 meals for homeless and low-income families served by more than 350 Disney VoluntEARS. Disney will also provide magical stage entertainment for all to enjoy. The men, women and children receiving the turkey dinner come from The Salvation Army's social service programs and downtown LA skid row missions.

VIPs in attendance to include: Mayor James Hahn, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Boxing Champ Laila Ali, Tom Verica of "American Dreams" Kevin James & Leah Remini of "King of Queens," Constance Marie of "The George Lopez Show" Danica McKellar of "The West Wing" and The Salvation Army band, to name a select few.

When/Where:
Wednesday, November 24th
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall G

Every year, during the holiday season, more and more people look to The Salvation Army for assistance. This year is no exception. In Southern California, The Salvation Army expects to serve more than 350,000 people. Many of them will be families in crisis, homeless women and children, older adults, the transient and the unemployed. In order to serve the needs of each individual, The Salvation Army in Southern California will be serving dinner, handing out toys, distributing food baskets and raising money to help support the work of the "Army."

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Jingle Jam on Ice

The Indiana Ice along with Radio Disney is excited to announce that Aaron Carter and Fan_3, will be performing a post-game concert following the Ice's Sunday, December 5th game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Game time is 5 p.m. from the Pepsi Coliseum. Carter, a younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, is one of the hottest teen sensations on the airwaves today. The self proclaimed "Little Prince of Pop" has been singing and acting since the age of seven and released his self-titled debut album at the age of 11. He is also the youngest male solo artist to have four top 40 singles.

The 17-year-old pop sensation is a real Hollywood jack-of-all-trades with a resume that includes, singing, acting and performing. In just over a six year span, the Jive recording artist has released five albums and has had a single featured on the "Pokemon: The First Movie" soundtrack. Prior to headlining his own concerts, Carter opened for the likes of pop superstars Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. He made his performing debut in the Broadway musical "Seussical" and can also be seen in a guest role on the WB's hit TV series "Seventh Heaven".

Fan_3 is another up and coming young talent. The 16-year-old Geffen recording artist can already be heard on the soundtracks of "Lizzie McGuire" and Disney's "A Shark Tale". She recently premiered a music video on Nickelodeon and is anticipating the release of her debut album "Let Me Clear My Mind" in early 2005.

The concert and Ice game is also a Marsh Family Day, presented by Edy's and Star Autos where one child 12 and under can get in FREE with a full-paying adult by showing your Marsh Fresh Idea Card at the door.

Regular ticket prices range from $9-$17 and can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations including select Marsh Supermarkets, Karma Records, select L.S. Ayres and the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Conseco Fieldhouse box offices or by calling (317) 239-5151 or online at ticketmaster.com. Groups of ten or more can order their tickets through the Ice office by calling 925-4423. For all the latest Ice information, please visit www.indianaice.com.

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                                                       Tuesday November 23, 2004
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Children's Place Completes Disney Deal

 
The Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. on Tuesday said it had completed its acquisition of the Disney Store's North American retail chain of 313 stores.

The retailer said it expected the Disney Store subsidiary to add about 30 cents per share to its earnings in fiscal 2005 which are expected to come in at about $1.90 a share.

It said it anticipated fiscal 2004 earnings per share growth of about 60 percent over fiscal 2003 which did not include the slight addition anticipated from the Disney unit.

In fiscal 2003, the company reported earnings per share of 85 cents.

The Children's Place intends to operate the Disney stores as a wholly owned subsidiary and has committed to invest up to $100 million to remodel and operate the money-losing chain.

The Secaucus, New Jersey-based company said it had established a separate $100 million working capital facility for the new subsidiary.

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Walt Disney Internet Group Promotes Michael Nichols To Senior Vice President

The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) today announced the promotion of executive Michael Nichols to senior vice president, creative and content development, Walt Disney Internet Group, International.

Nichols, who previously held the title of vice president, leads WDIG's broadband and wireless product development from concept and brainstorming to ultimate product launch. Nichols led Disney's first content development for the wireless platform and, with a team of artists, product managers and producers, has grown the company's wireless library to more than 6000 individual products across nearly 20 product categories. He also developed and deployed "Disney BB", a collection of Disney's broadband entertainment for kids and families which launched in 2003 in Japan and now is being adapted for markets around the world.

"Mike has been a key force in growing our broadband and mobile businesses," said Mark Handler, executive vice president, Walt Disney Internet Group, International, to whom Nichols reports. "His extensive experience in developing creative content over multiple platforms is a valuable asset to our organization, and I am confident that he will take our business to higher levels over the coming years."

Nichols has been with The Walt Disney Company for close to twenty years. Prior to joining WDIG in 2001, Nichols served as vice president, creative development and design at Disney TeleVentures, a division dedicated to digital TV and broadband Internet applications and services, for six years. Before that, he was vice president, creative development and synergy programming at Disney Channel where he began his tenure with The Walt Disney Company in 1985 as Creative Director, on-air promotion.

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ABC Television Network Celebrates Holiday Traditions With The Animated Classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Tuesday, December 7

The ABC Television Network will celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, airing TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT; OAD on ABC: 12/6/01). The hour will also include a series of Christmas-themed animated stories entitled "Charlie Brown Christmas Tales," based on Schulz's work, in which each of the beloved PEANUTS characters – Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Sally – star in his or her own charming animated vignette.

PEANUTS focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.

In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

The cast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" includes Peter Robbins ("Charlie Brown"), Christopher Shea as ("Linus"), Tracy Stratford ("Lucy"), Chris Doran ("Schroeder") and Sally Dryer ("Violet").

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director, and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.

This program carries a TV-G parental guideline.

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Disney "outperform," target price raised

Analyst David Mantell of Loop Capital maintains his "outperform" rating on Disney, while raising his estimates for the company. The 12-month target price has been raised from $27 to $29.

In a research note published on November 19, the analyst mentions that the company reported its F4Q04 revenues in-line with and EPS ahead of the estimates and the consensus. The analyst expects the recovery at the ABC segment and the ongoing strength in the Cable and Parks & Resorts segments to boost Disney's performance in FY05. The EPS estimate for FY05 has been raised from $1.21 to $1.26.

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Disney CEO Eisner castigates Michael Ovitz

Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner walked casually around the Circle in Georgetown, Nov. 17, on his way into Court of Chancery.

Under a bright sunny sky and with attorney Gary Naftalis by his side, Eisner smiled and chatted for a moment with reporters before entering court.

When a reporter commented to Eisner that it was a beautiful day, the man in charge of operations for the Burbank, Calif.-based Walt Disney Co. responded with the authority of one accustomed to making profound pronouncements. "It is the third consecutive beautiful day here," he said and entered court.

Eisner and all people involved in the Court of Chancery case undergo a security check when entering the court. Pockets are emptied, cell phones are switched off and briefcases are opened. Once through a metal-detecting body scanner, Eisner, his attorneys, reporters and spectators climbed a winding marble staircase to the second-floor courtroom. Eisner and the legal teams entered the courtroom; a dozen reporters took chairs in the courtroom lobby to watch the proceedings on a wide-screen, closed circuit television.

Court resumed the trial at 9:03 a.m. that morning, the fifth week of court proceedings on the Disney Co. case, which began Oct. 20 and was originally scheduled for completion at the end of November. The case is moving slowly, though, and Court of Chancery Chancellor William B. Chandler III has cleared his December calendar to make room for it.

Local attorneys with cases pending in court of Chancery have had to move those cases to Dover or Wilmington because of the slow-moving Disney case.

"It's not real different for the local attorneys," commented Katrina Sears, who works in the Recorder of Chancery's Office. "Generally, the Wilmington cases come to Sussex. It's less often that the Sussex cases go to Wilmington, but it's not unheard of. I don't think many of the local attorneys have been inconvenienced by this case. A lot of the hearings are being conducted at one of the Court of Common Pleas courtrooms across the Circle in Georgetown."

It was the beginning of Eisner's third day of testimony in the Disney Co. shareholders' suit against him, former Disney Co. President Michael Ovitz and several former and current Disney Co. board members.

As he sat in the witnesses' chair with a bottle of water on the table in front of him, Eisner responded to questions about the Oct. 1, 1995 hiring of Ovitz as company president and the five-year contract Ovitz signed in December of that year.

Under oath, Eisner told the court about his conversations a year later with Disney operations chief Sanford "Sandy" Litvack about whether it was possible to scrap the terms of the contract after it became apparent that Ovitz was not performing to expectations.

"Sandy Litvack told me consistently that there was no basis for cause for terminating Ovitz and breaking the contract," Eisner said. He added that the contract was to give Ovitz $39 million in cash and stock options valued at $100 million.

"I would have preferred the money go to Disney," said Eisner. "The options didn't matter that much. Those were just a blip."

Eisner said no Disney Co. board resolution was obtained for Ovitz' firing or for Ovitz receiving the benefits from a non-fault termination.

"We never had a special executive session," Eisner said. "I told the board what it was going to cost. We talked about the whole situation, but it was a long time ago, and I just cannot remember all of it. I'm confident it happened, I just can't hear the exact words ringing in my ears."

Eisner testified that he met with Litvack and Ovitz to finalize the terms for the non-fault termination, terms which Eisner said Ovitz agreed to. He was to remain on the job until Jan. 31, 1997.

Eisner then told about how Ovitz immediately began spreading bad information about his separation from Disney, and that angered Eisner. He said he was furious with Ovitz and sent him a scathing email letter Dec. 16, 1996.

"I was about as mad as I've ever been," Eisner told the court. "It was an incredible betrayal. We'd done all we could for him, and he just threw it right back in our face. So I sent this email and I was venting."

By Dec. 27, 1996, Ovitz' attacks against the credibility of Disney Co. changed the date of his departure. Eisner told how what he called Ovitz' "betrayal" led to his immediate departure from the company Dec. 27, 1996 after 14 months on the job.

The plaintiff shareholders claim that Eisner cut a deal with Ovitz so that he could leave Walt Disney co. with the non-fault termination.

The Disney Co. board of directors claims that Eisner was advised by company counsel Litvack that Ovitz could not be fired for cause and that the contract should be honored.

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What's so 'incredible' about SRK

Well this time King Khan is letting the limelight fall on his co-stars too... Any guesses why?
Well, because papa Khan is sharing the stage with beta Khan Aryan! SRK has given a voice over for the Hindi version of Disney/Pixar's animation action adventure The Incredibles .

The Hindi version is called Hum Hain Lajaawab . The Incredibles and Hum Hain Lajaawab releases across India on December 17, 2004.

The real life father and son join forces to play reel life father and son with the King Khan playing Mr Incredible/ Mr Lajawab and Aryan Mr Lajawab's extraordinarily son Tez.

                                            

"When kids do something they do it in a simple way, from the heart. That's the reason Aryan sounds better than me in the film," said the proud papa in an interview. 

Doing voice over for animated characters is very common in Hollywood but this is the first time in the history of Bollywood that top stars are following the set trend.

"It is difficult as it is new for us, hope something positive comes out of this," said the actor.

On this momentous occasion, the SPE Films director, Mr Uday Singh said, "What makes this event unique and truly 'incredible' is the fact that it has never been tried before in India."

"We are confident that our association with India's favourite icon will take the film to a new and wider audience base as it will not only encourage kids and families across all socio-economic classes to come into theatres and have fun with the 'Incredible' family but will also strike a chord with the youth, who see him as their idol," added Singh.

It seems that it was the challenge and the creative potential in the role of Mr Lajawab that attracted the Shah Rukh Khan.

"My son saw the stills of the film and he commented that only a real hero would do this film... I just had to take it up."

Shah Rukh admits relating to the lovable superhero, "In the film, Mr Lajawab is like a big bear. He's huge - about 6'4'' - but he is a gentleman. He is charismatic and generous. I'd like to believe that I'm as kind as him. Importantly, he has an amount of warmth. I think I have that quality especially when it comes to children."

Along with SRK is the versatile Javed Jaffery, who not only lends his voice to the character of 'Syndrome' called 'Sankiman' in the Hindi version, but has also written the dialogues for the movie.

Jaffery, who earlier did the script for Jungle Book 2 , took about 10 days to write the Hindi dialogues. The actor has been associated with Disney for quite sometime now. He has done voiceovers for Mickey Mouse for TV, Sher Khan in Jungle Book .

"When I was approached for The Incredibles , I agreed only after I knew that Shah Rukh Khan was confirmed for the voice of Mr Lajawab," said Jaffery.

Apart from SRK's magic and Jaffery's versatility, the cartoon film also features the voices of Rakshanda Khan and Vindoo Singh (Dara Singh's son).

Rakshanda essays the role of 'Mrs Incredible/Elastigirl' called 'Mrs Helen Paar'.

The story of the film follows the adventures of a family of former superheroes rediscovering the true source of their powers in one another. It's a hilarious, computer-animated adventure about Mr Incredible, whose superpower is strength and his weakness - dessert, and his once flexible wife Elastigirl, whose suffers from a weakness which involves buying too many new clothes.

The two superheroes were forced into retirement and left to take on civilian identities. Then one day, ten years into the future, Mr Lajaawab gets a mysterious message asking him to come immediately to an island. There he comes to know of a secret assignment.

The mission makes him change himself and become super hero again. The family takes on the mission with their son Tez, who is known for his accelerating speed, reflexes and unfortunate issues with authority, in tow. But will they be able to once again become the evil-fighting, life-saving superheroes they once were and save the world?

This hugely talented cast should certainly generate a 'La Jawab' performance.

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Feng shui master picks Sept. 12, 2005 for Hong Kong Disneyland opening, officials tout park's economic benefits

Hong Kong Disneyland will open on Sept. 12, 2005, an auspicious day chosen by a feng shui master, Disney announced Monday as officials touted the projected economic benefits the theme park is expected to attract.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang and Disney executive Don Robinson unveiled a banner showing the opening date at a press conference while Mickey Mouse looked on.

In keeping with local tradition, Disney officials consulted a feng shui expert in picking the date. Feng shui is the Chinese art of choosing dates and arranging the layout of objects to improve fortunes.

"He has assured us that Sept. 12 is a fabulous day to open Hong Kong Disneyland," said Robinson, Hong Kong Disneyland Group's managing director.

Hong Kong Disneyland is a joint venture between the territory's government and The Walt Disney Co., but local taxpayers are shouldering most of the park's US$3.5 billion (euro 2.7 billion) price tag.

Critics have questioned whether Hong Kong got a good deal, but officials said Monday the government made the right move as they gave rosy projections of the park's impact on the territory's economy.

Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng called the park an "exceptionally value-for-money" investment, saying it paves the way for Hong Kong to become a "premier" family tourism destination.

Tang noted the project created 11,400 construction jobs while 5,000 are expected to be working at Hong Kong Disneyland on opening day.

In a statement released by Disney, Tang was quoted as saying Hong Kong is projected to reap a total amount of 148 Hong Kong billion dollars (US$19 billion; €15 billion) from the park in the 40 years after it opens.

Adult admission is set at 350 Hong Kong dollars (US$45; €35) for the weekend and public holidays, with a lower price for weekdays _ the cheapest price among Disney's five parks around the world.

But the Hong Kong park takes the unusual approach of classifying children over 11 as adults _ a grouping that could make up for the low price by boosting the volume of adult ticket sales.

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Evanescence May Play Narnia

Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek 2, Sinbad) may be in charge of the orchestral score for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but he won't be the only musical contributor.

In an interview with MTV, lead singer Amy Lee of the popular band Evanescence said she had been invited to contribute music to the family-oriented fantasy movie. Amy has been a fan of CS Lewis's books since childhood, and the somber mood of Narnia suits her gothic sensibilities just fine.

"I love the kind of stranger children's stuff," she said. "I think that's very much what our music is inspired by. Not only death and the morbid stuff, but that it comes from the perspective of a child and things relating to childhood, because that's what I went through."

It's not clear yet what Amy Lee is performing for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, nor whether the rest of her group will be involved.

Amy was also offered a small cameo role in the movie, but it sounds like that won't work out. "They were like, 'Do you want to do a cameo?' And I was like, 'Hell yeah! Let me die. I want to be somebody who gets murdered.' So I don't think that's going to happen."

We'll keep you updated on the first Chronicles of Narnia film, which is still in production in New Zealand.

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Country Bear Jamboree Holiday version now Playing

Magic Kingdom - The Country Bear Jamboree Holiday Version began playing this past weekend with huge crowds filling up every seat. One of Many Holiday festivities beginning at Walt Disney World.

                          

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Mitchell Testifies on Ovitz's Tenure

Walt Disney Co. Chairman George J. Mitchell testified Tuesday that he didn't believe it was in the best interest of shareholders for former company President Michael Ovitz to serve out the remainder of his contract when things turned sour in late 1996.
 
Mitchell, the former U.S. senator from Maine, said that if Ovitz served out his five-year contract, he would have received the same amount of money and options from the company that he received as severance. However, Ovitz's relationship with Chief Executive Michael Eisner and other executives had deteriorated to such a point that it no longer made sense for him to stay at the entertainment giant, Mitchell said.

"I think that the interest of the company would not have been served by continuing the relationship," Mitchell said in response to a question by Jesse A. Finkelstein, who is representing Mitchell and several directors.

Ovitz, Eisner and several current or former directors are being sued in the Delaware Court of Chancery over a $140 million severance package paid to Ovitz when he left Burbank, Calif.-based Disney, after 14 months as the company's president.

The shareholder lawsuit, which has been in progress for more than seven years, claims Disney's board failed to properly scrutinize Ovitz's employment contract when he joined the company in 1995 and was wrong to grant him a nonfault termination that entitled him to the massive severance package when he left in December 1996.

The shareholders claim that Ovitz was ineffective in his job at Disney and could have been fired for cause for his excessive spending and habitual lying while at the company.

How much the board knew about Ovitz's contract is a key question in the suit.

On Wednesday, Mitchell testified that the entertainment giant's board of directors had a "substantive" discussion about Ovitz and his pay package before he was appointed as its president at a board meeting in late September 1995. Ovitz reached a handshake agreement with Eisner to join the company, and his hiring, subject to board approval, was announced to the public in mid-August 1995.

Disney directors Irwin Russell and Raymond Watson, who helped negotiate with Ovitz on Disney's behalf, gave a presentation on the matter before the board voted to name Ovitz president, Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he questioned Russell and Watson during their presentation about the large amount of options granted to Ovitz as part of his employment agreement.

"The response was Mr. Ovitz had been making a large amount of money in his previous position," Mitchell said. He was told Ovitz was making $20 million to $25 million a year at Creative Artists Agency, the talent agency Ovitz co-founded, Mitchell said.

In response to a question by Seth D. Rigrodsky, a lawyer for the shareholders group, Mitchell said he couldn't recall whether documents concerning Ovitz's pay package, including a report by a compensation expert who advised the company, were circulated to board members at the meeting.

"We all knew there was a lot of money and options involved," Mitchell said.

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The Lizzie McGuire DVD Box Set Volume One Hilary Duff Stars as Lizzie McGuire Four-Disc DVD Set Available November 23
 
The #1 Cable show for girls comes to DVD in a must have collection! LIZZIE McGUIRE DVD BOX SET Volume One features the first twenty-two of Lizzie's fun adventures from the hit Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire." This hip, upbeat show stars Hilary Duff as Lizzie, a teen navigating the ups and downs of middle school, trendy styles and growing up while her animated alter ego gives hilarious observations. This DVD set also features audio commentaries on select episodes from cast members. As well, there is the "Teen Attitude" featurette on getting the Lizzie look, hot Hollywood hair tips and dishing the dirt. Available on November 23, 2004 from Buena Vista Home Entertainment for $49.99 (S.R.P.) for a four-disc DVD box set.

                                                       

Hilary Duff is one of Hollywood's fastest rising stars. An MTV favorite, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Award winner and named one of the top 25 teens in Teen People magazine, the multimedia sensation has starred in and recorded the soundtrack for A Cinderella Story. Duff has also starred in such box office smashes as The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Cheaper by the Dozen and Agent Cody Banks. Hilary Duff has been the star of the Disney Channel's hit Lizzie McGuire series. Hilary Duff is also a successful recording artist, and her music career is in high gear. Her recent concert tour was filmed for the DVD Hilary Duff: The Girl Can Rock.

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Boy Meets World (Season Two)

Join Cory (Ben Savage) as he makes the big leap into high school in Boy Meets World's hilarious second season. Shawn, Topanga and all your favorite characters return, joined by Harley, Joey, Frankie and the school's new teacher Mr. Turner, for a sensational year of laughs and adventure.

                                                      

Enjoy all 23 original episodes of season two plus exclusive bonus features, including audio and video commentary with the cast and crew. It's a year of fresh experiences as Cory discovers a whole new relationship with Topanga, and the gang tests their ideas about life, fun and friendship.

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Audio Commentary With Cast And Crew
  • Picture-In-Picture Video Commentary With Cast And Crew

This terrific DVD sets is available for $49.99 (S.R.P.).

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Emily Smith Promoted To Vice President Of Familyfun.Com

Disney Online today announced the promotion of Emily Smith to vice president, FamilyFun.com. Smith leads all aspects of the FamilyFun.com business including site strategy, content and creative direction, business development, and marketing.

"Emily is a veteran of family and women's Internet businesses. She has done a terrific job over the past several years evolving FamilyFun.com's consumer proposition to offer more and more relevant content for our guests while honing its business strategy to promote growth," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online, to whom Smith reports. "It's a well-earned promotion and I am confident that Emily's combination of editorial and management experience will help propel the site to future successes."

Smith was promoted from director of product development, FamilyFun.com where in 2003 she led the site through aggressive growth in revenue and distribution. Other recent achievements include the launch and development of the FamilyFun Video Game of the Year Awards, a sister program to FamilyFun magazine's renowned Toy of the Year (T.O.Y.) Awards.

Under Smith's direction, FamilyFun.com is currently focusing on site enhancements that leverage emerging technologies such as broadband Internet to promote interactivity and enhance the guest experience. Such initiatives include:

  • The recent launch of FamilyFun TV, an application that allows broadband users to view high-quality video embedded in FamilyFun.com webpages. FamilyFun TV features weekly "how to" video clips that provide guests with step by step instructions to make favorite crafts and recipes;
  • The development of electronically downloadable printable patterns, templates and patterns for guests to purchase. Themes include scrapbooking and holidays;
  • Online games to sample for free; and
  • A new site section that introduces guests to new family-oriented products. Each month, guests can enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a featured product for themselves

Prior to joining Disney Online, Smith was managing editor at iVillage, where she oversaw allHealth.com, a daily health site on America Online and the World Wide Web featuring a medical database and hundreds of expert-led and mutual-support chat events. Earlier, at America Online, Smith produced content for GNN, an online magazine, search engine, and ISP.

Smith holds a B.A. in English from University of California, Berkeley.

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Home Improvement (Season One)

An immediate hit with fans and critics, this classic family comedy earned an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in its very first season and soon found its place among the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms in television history.

                                                     

Tim Allen ratchets up the laughs as Tim "The Toolman" Taylor in Home Improvement's landmark first season. Relive every hilarious moment with the accident-prone TV show host and the original "Tool Time" girl Pamela Anderson in this comprehensive 3-disc set, including all 24 episodes and exclusive bonus features. It's the show you love – with "more power" than ever!

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Loose Screws – The Show's Most Hilarious Moments
  • Audio Commentary From The Show's Creators

This terrific DVD sets is available for $49.99 (S.R.P.). 

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The Golden Girls (Season One)

An Emmy Award-winner for Outstanding Comedy Series in its very first year, The Golden Girls has become a landmark in television history and an all-time fan favorite. Beatrice Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty star as four South Florida seniors sharing a house, their dreams and a whole lot of cheesecake. Bright, promiscuous, clueless and hilarious, these lovely, mismatched ladies form the perfect circle of friends.

                                                     

Experience all 25 laugh-packed episodes of Season One in this spectacular 3-disc set, including the series pilot and an exclusive bonus feature that offers a whole new look at the show. It's all the provocative fun and entertainment you remember ...and so much more.

BONUS FEATURE:

  • Fashion Commentary – Joan and Melissa Rivers provide their own unique brand of fashion critique in a hilarious featurette that pays tribute to the crazy, kitschy wardrobes of The Golden Girls.

This terrific DVD sets is available for $49.99 (S.R.P.).

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In Search Of Santa Premiering On DVD and Video November 23

Miramax Home Entertainment presents IN SEARCH OF SANTA, a delightful holiday movie premiering on DVD and video November 23. Rising stars Hilary Duff ("The Lizzie McGuire Movie," "A Cinderella Story") and her sister Haylie Duff ("Napoleon Dynamite") voice the adventures of two penguin princess sisters, Crystal and Lucinda, as they set out on a journey to find the elusive Santa Claus. This delightfully funny CGI-animated movie will warm the hearts of every member of the family. Don't miss this magical Christmas adventure, premiering only on DVD and video November 23, 2004.

                                                       

In Search Of Santa is the touching story of two penguin princess sisters, Crystal and Lucinda, and their daring Pole-to-Pole quest to find Santa Claus. Forced to work together in order to survive, the sisters brave hostile pirates and hungry predators. Along the way, the sisters earn each other's respect, and discover the true spirit of Christmas. Included on the DVD is a bonus feature, "Inside The Recording Booth With Hilary and Haylie Duff."

Hilary Duff is one of Hollywood's fastest rising stars. An MTV favorite, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Award winner and named one of the top 25 teens in Teen People magazine, the multi-media sensation has most recently starred in and recorded the soundtrack for A Cinderella Story.

Duff has also starred in such box office smashes as The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Cheaper by the Dozen and Agent Cody Banks. Hilary Duff gained enormous popularity in the Disney Channel's hit Lizzie McGuire series - this hip, upbeat show stars Hilary Duff as Lizzie, a teen navigating the turbulence of middle school cliques, trendy styles and rites of passage while her animated alter ego gives hilarious observations. Hilary Duff's music career is in high gear. She is a successful recording artist and her recent concert tour was filmed for the DVD Hilary Duff: The Girl Can Rock.

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                                                     Monday November 22, 2004
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HK Disneyland theme park to open in September

Hong Kong's Disneyland theme park will open on Sept. 12, 2005 and become the driving force for growth in the city's tourism industry, Hong Kong's government and Walt Disney Co. said on Monday.

The admission price for adults was set at HK$295 (US$37.8) per head during the week and HK$350 on weekends and peak days, they said in a statement.

The construction of the US$1.8 billion park, located on the Lantau Island, is expected to provide new jobs to Hong Kong citizens, who have suffered high unemployment in the past few years due to an economic downturn.

The project has created 11,400 jobs during construction and another 18,000 are expected to be created in phases by the opening, Financial Secretary Henry Tang said in the statement.

Mainland tourists are likely to be among the main visitors.

They have flocked to Hong Kong since Beijing relaxed visa restrictions for several cities in Guangdong and for Beijing and Shanghai in 2003. The scheme is due be widened soon.

Previously mainlanders could only visit Hong Kong as part of a tour group.

The government estimates that Hong Kong's tourist arrivals will reach more than 21 million this year, up 37 percent from 2003.

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Witness: Ovitz's Style a 'Distraction'

 
Former Walt Disney Co. President Michael Ovitz's style didn't mesh well with the company's deeply ingrained culture and eventually become a distraction, the company's ex-chief financial officer testified Monday.

Stephen F. Bollenbach, who now is chief executive and co-chairman of Hilton Hotels Corp., said it became apparent by early 1996 that Ovitz, a former top talent agent, was having trouble fitting in at the company, despite his best efforts.

Bollenbach said Ovitz was "hijacking" Chief Executive Michael Eisner's ear in public, which made Bollenbach uncomfortable, and was becoming a distraction to Eisner. Some executives began ignoring Ovitz, while others tried to avoid working with him, Bollenbach said.

"His style was not what people in most big companies were used to," Bollenbach said.

Ovitz, Eisner and several current or former directors are being sued in the Delaware Court of Chancery over a $140 million severance package paid to Ovitz when he left Disney after 14 months as the Burbank, Calif.-based company's president.

The shareholder lawsuit, which has been in progress for more than seven years, claims Disney's board failed in its fiscal responsibilities by not properly scrutinizing Ovitz's employment contract when he joined the company in 1995 and then granting him a nonfault termination that entitled him to the massive severance package when he left in December 1996.

As an example of the problems, Bollenbach said he was uncomfortable with an event Ovitz held at Walt Disney World during a management retreat in January 1996. Bollenbach left Disney in February 1996, after about 10 months with the company.

Bollenbach said Ovitz had a group of about 40 executives sit in a circle in a room and discuss who they believed was the most important person in history as part of a brainstorming session.

"In my experience, the techniques were considered odd as opposed to useful," Bollenbach said.

Eisner previously testified that Ovitz alienated a number of Disney executives at that event by being chauffeured around the Disney World by a personal driver, rather than taking a bus with the others.

At the same time, Bollenbach said Ovitz canceled a number of information sessions he had scheduled to educate Ovitz on the various working components of the company. Bollenbach said he went through similar sessions when he joined Disney in May 1995 and found them to be helpful. Ovitz instead went about his own way of educating himself about the company, Bollenbach said.

However, Bollenbach said he didn't believe Ovitz, whom he described as hardworking, would be terminated, instead that the company would find some way in which he could still be of value at Disney. He certainly didn't see anything in the four months that he worked with Ovitz that suggested Ovitz should be fired for cause, Bollenbach said.

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Updated Photo's of Crush 'N' Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon

Walt Disney World - Below are some photo's of Typhoon Lagoon's latest attraction Crush 'N' Gusher

 
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Chicken Little promotion

The huge inflatable Chicken Little has appeared over the Playhouse Disney building and seems to be attacking the Brown Derby Restaurant.


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Disney And Hksar Government Announce Hong Kong Disneyland Opening Day

Disney and the Hong Kong SAR Government announced today that Hong Kong Disneyland will welcome its first guests on 12th September, 2005 (Monday), earlier than originally projected. The world-class theme park and resort, located on Lantau Island, will be Disney's first theme park in China offering magical experiences for the entire family ranging from Broadway-style shows and signature Disney attractions to vibrant fireworks and parades.

"We are delighted to be joining with the Hong Kong SAR Government to bring guests from Hong Kong and around the world such a unique quality family entertainment experience. Over the past four years since the announcement of this project, we have been working closely with the Hong Kong SAR Government to make Hong Kong Disneyland a success, and we are grateful for their tremendous support in helping us deliver the magic even earlier than expected," said Don Robinson, Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director.

"The announcement of opening day for Hong Kong Disneyland marks a key milestone for the development of Hong Kong tourism and the economy as a whole," said Henry Tang, Financial Secretary, Hong Kong SAR Government and the Guest of Honour at today's announcement. Tang said that Hong Kong Disneyland's opening would be a "driving force for tourism growth for Hong Kong, and family tourism development in particular," noting that this year's tourist arrivals are estimated to reach over 21 million, a rise of 37% over last year.

The Financial Secretary also highlighted that the whole economy will continue to benefit from the Hong Kong Disneyland project tremendously. "The project has already created 11,400 jobs during construction. Another 18,000 jobs are expected to be created in phases by opening. In the first 40 years after opening, Hong Kong Disneyland is forecast to bring about a huge economic benefit of $148 billion to Hong Kong as a whole," said Mr. Tang.

Noting that the project will be completed less than six years since its commencement five years ago in late 1999, the Financial Secretary said, "Never has a Disneyland been built so fast, achieving the same quality as other Disney theme parks and resorts." The project will also be completed within budget. The Financial Secretary said that Government would continue to render full support for a most successful opening.

Families visiting the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will be taken on a magical journey through three themed lands, a charming Main Street U.S.A and two Disney-style hotels.

"Hong Kong Disneyland is designed for guests to leave the real world and enter one of fantasy, imagination and adventure," said Wing Chao, Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific Development, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Executive Vice President, Master Planning, Architecture & Design, Walt Disney Imagineering.

"When the guests first enter the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, they will notice immediately the lush landscape, colorful signage, and decorative light fixtures. With the classic Disneyland design, combined with fun and exciting attractions created specifically for Hong Kong, guests from all around Asia will experience the unique Disney brand of entertainment, creating memories that will last a lifetime."

Captivating Featured Attractions Revealed – Jungle River Cruise and Festival of the Lion King

In addition to the opening day announcement, Hong Kong Disneyland executives revealed two of the many featured attractions expected to enthrall thousands of guests on a daily basis: Jungle River Cruise and Festivals of the Lion King.

Disney Imagineers, Tom Morris, Vice President and Executive Producer in charge of Hong Kong Disneyland and Skip Lange, Vice President, Executive Production Designer in charge of Jungle River Cruise, revealed the conceptual renderings and storyboards of this adventurous journey through an African jungle that will be part of the exotic Adventureland experience.

An expansive river in the heart of Adventureland is set to become a spectacular centerpiece and the perfect setting for Jungle River Cruise. Guests will depart on exploration boats for an exotic journey along the waterways of some of the world's most hidden regions.

Mystery and intrigue lurk around every bend as the riverboats travel a winding route filled with fascinating sights, sounds, surprises and fun.

An intrepid boat skipper will guide guests on a journey through busy river rafts; elephants, frolicking in water; quaking temple ruins; invading gorillas; erupting geysers and some very mischievous hippos.

"Hong Kong Disneyland's Jungle River Cruise brings more of the adventure 'on board' and allows guests to get closer to the action as they navigate through this intriguing jungle," said Morris. "We have added new features and surprises to this attraction to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests in Hong Kong."

Hong Kong Disneyland is also delighted to present Festival of the Lion King, a joyous and high energy spectacle created through song, dance, puppetry, specialty performances and evocative imagery.

Ten years after its release, Disney's The Lion King still holds the hearts and minds of audiences around the world. This animated masterpiece, which has become one of the most popular of all Disney classics, is now being brought to life in a unique Broadway-style theatrical spectacle created especially for Hong Kong Disneyland.

The audience is in the middle of the show as a troupe of tribal performers arrives and transforms the Theatre in the Wild into a colorful festival setting. Giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap! The entire savanna comes to life as the music soars. This is "Festival of the Lion King" – Disney storytelling at its best in a kingdom brimming with fun, wonder and adventure.

"Festival of The Lion King" will be unlike anything our guests have ever experienced in Hong Kong and will be the first Broadway-style production to be staged in Hong Kong on a permanent basis. The show will allow families to join with their circle of loved ones while marveling at this breathtaking spectacle and timeless story, miraculously brought to life by a cast of over dynamic 20 performers," said Laurie Jordan, Vice President of Entertainment for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Hong Kong Disneyland Admission Pricing

Guests will be able to immerse themselves in this magical Hong Kong Disneyland experience with an admission price of HK$295 per adult during the week and HK$350 on weekends and peak days. Children's tickets (aged between three and 11 years) will be priced at HK$210 during the week and HK$250 on weekends and peak holidays. Senior citizens tickets (over the age of 65) can enjoy the Disney experience at a special rate of HK$170 during the week and HK$200 on weekends and peak days. Children under the age of three are free. Peak days will include Hong Kong public holidays, summer school holidays (i.e. July and August) and the Golden Weeks (1st week in May and October every year).

"We believe that the ticket prices for Hong Kong Disneyland represent excellent value for our guests who can enjoy a full day of adventure including an array of attractions, world-class hotels accommodations along with special dining and our unique evening firework spectacular. Our extensive research validated that our target customers understand Disney is a premium brand offering unique experiences not currently available in the market. When we open in less than a year, we look forward to welcoming guests of all ages, and from around the region to a great family vacation destination and to a world of fantasy, imagination and adventure," said Roy Tan Hardy, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland.

Experiencing the Magic

A Hong Kong Disneyland admission ticket will include a full day's program of magical adventures across Main Street U.S.A. and three themed lands - Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland. There are no additional charges for individual attractions or entertainment.

Guests will first enter Hong Kong Disneyland through Main Street, U.S.A., designed after quintessential small town America and evoking a time gone by when the gas lamp was giving way to electricity and the "horseless carriage" was the latest novelty.

Its nostalgic design will help transport guests from the every day world into a "magic kingdom" where they can then venture into the three themed lands.

Rising proudly above Main Street U.S.A. is Sleeping Beauty Castle, the gateway to Fantasyland where the colorful, whimsical, "once-upon-a-time" settings of Disney's animated classics come to life.

Here guests can indulge their childhood fantasies by riding on Disney's world famous "Dumbo the Flying Elephant"; the "Mad Hatter Tea Cups", the majestic Cinderella Carousel and "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh."

Guests will also be able to enjoy the 3-D animated feature film, Mickey's PhilharMagic, that will take the audience through an interactive experience featuring the head Mouse and other favorite Disney characters.

In Fantasy Gardens, a unique attraction designed specially for Hong Kong Disneyland, guests will have the opportunity to meet their all time favorite characters including Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and many of their Disney friends.

Over in Adventureland, guests will begin a journey into the exotic regions of the Asian and African jungles. Here guests can take a daring ride on a jungle river cruise, and explore many other attractions including a whole island devoted to the "King of the Jungle" – Tarzan – and his rustic tree-house.

Adventureland is also home to the 2,200 seat Theater-in-the-Wild, which is one of the most technically advanced theatrical venues in any Disney Park. It is here that guests can take in the Disney musical stage spectacular – Festivals of the Lion King.

For guests seeking a hint of the future, Tomorrowland will offer a world filled with science fiction and soaring space adventures. Taking a whole new approach to Tomorrowland that will be different from any other Disney theme park, Walt Disney Imagineers have created an entire land that becomes an Intergalactic Spaceport – and every restaurant, shop and attraction will be filled with robots, rocket ships or floating planets. Guests will be treated to the warp-speed adventure of "Space Mountain"; fly their own flying saucer in the attraction "Orbitron" and blast off with "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters".

Dining and Merchantainment

In addition to the Park's featured attractions and signature entertainment, Hong Kong Disneyland will offer a diverse range of food at eight restaurants, three of which will be table service restaurants and five of which will be self-service eateries, totaling 2,900 seats.

Each restaurant will be themed to match the unique, immersive atmosphere of its land, behind Hong Kong Disneyland's belief that food is part of the guest experience and of the "magic at work" inside the Park.

Hong Kong Disneyland's food and beverage team has carefully designed the Park's menus to feature popular dishes from different parts of Asia – from the Northwest, the Jiangnan region and Guangdong province in Mainland China, to Southeast Asia and Japan. Different kitchens in the Park's various restaurants will feature different styles of cooking, such as Steam Kitchens, which will serve dim sum and steamed dishes, Wok Kitchens, which will serve stir fries, as well as Curry, Noodle, and BBQ Kitchens.

Guests looking for a special Hong Kong Disneyland memento will be able to indulge in 11 specialty stores selling an exclusive and unique collection of Disney memorabilia and souvenirs. Over 5,000 kinds of products will be available - ranging from plush, apparel and confectionaries to souvenirs, most of which will only be available at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney-style Hotels

The resort will feature two Disney-style hotels – the flagship Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel. The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, comprising 400 rooms, is set in grand Victorian design built on the shores of the South China Sea. The Disneyland Hotel is patterned after the Grand Floridian Beach Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The hotel will feature two restaurants, several specialty shops, a lounge and tea area, a spa, 15 suites, meeting and convention space (including a grand ballroom), a wedding gazebo and lushly landscaped grounds that will feature formal gardens and a maze in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head.

Disney's Hollywood Hotel, designed with an Art Deco exterior and features motifs of Disney's world-famous mouse, is a tribute to the heyday of the movie-making capital of the world.

This sleek resort hotel will incorporate elements of Streamline Moderne architecture while capturing the whimsical spirit of Hollywood - not only in its design, but in an outdoor plaza of walkways named after famous Hollywood freeways and boulevards, a piano-shaped swimming pool and iconic representations of well-known Southern California landmarks.

About Hong Kong Disneyland

The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong SAR Government, theme park and resort construction began in January 2003, with the project now scheduled to open on 12th September, 2005. At opening day, Hong Kong Disneyland will comprise a theme park and two hotels.

The Phase I build-out includes a projected 10 million annual visitor Disneyland-style theme park, 2,100 hotel rooms, and an area for retail, dining and entertainment. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment) growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches build-out. The Hong Kong SAR Government estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period. For more information, please refer to the Hong Kong Disneyland website at www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

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TV praise 'hid bitter plotting in Disney boardroom'

Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner yesterday told a Delaware courtroom how he had appeared on television praising his former second-in-command Michael Ovitz even as he was plotting his departure from the company.

In his fourth day on the witness stand Mr Eisner was questioned about an interview he did with veteran CNN anchor Larry King in September 1996, during which he denied there were any tensions in the boardroom. Instead he said he would have hired Mr Ovitz again if he had the chance.

In reality, he was telling other Disney directors that he wanted Mr Ovitz to leave. At the time he had some hopes that Sony might hire Mr Ovitz, removing Disney's obligation to pay a severance fee. Forced to watch a clip of the interview in the courtroom, Mr Eisner admitted he had been less than truthful but said he felt it had been in the company's best interest to cover up the friction in the boardroom.

He admitted that going on the show at all was probably the wrong thing to do. "It was certainly a dumb thing to do," he said.

"It was unfortunate and stupid and I wish we hadn't done it," he added.

Mr Eisner was testifying in a case brought by shareholders angered at the $140m severance package Mr Ovitz received after spending just 14 months in the job.

Lawyers for investors are arguing that Mr Ovitz should not have been hired in the first place and that there were ample grounds to dismiss him without compensation. The board, they contend, failed in its fiduciary duties.

On Wednesday Mr Eisner told the court that he was "about as mad as I have ever been" when he discovered that Mr Ovitz had hired a public relations agent in his final days at the company, to brief the media on his pay-off.

Mr Eisner said he had discussed Mr Ovitz possibly heading to Sony at a meeting on September 30 1996, during the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World.

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Mickey's Fight Club
 
It was nearly 10 years ago that Disney CEO Michael Eisner began to seriously contemplate his own mortality. He'd just survived emergency bypass surgery, and he was worried: if something happened to him, who could possibly run Disney? It was time to groom his good friend, Hollywood power broker Michael Ovitz. "He was a man for all seasons. He was really impressive," Eisner said last week in a Delaware court.

And so the trouble began. Nearly 15 months after Eisner hired him as Disney's president, Ovitz would be pushed out with a severance package worth about $140 million. Now Disney shareholders want to know how Ovitz left with such a princely sum, and they want the money back. In the fifth week of a trial expected to last at least another month, Eisner testified that soon after Ovitz started his new job he became as likable as one of Cinderella's stepsisters. Eisner painted Ovitz as an egomaniac with little desire to conform to Disney's button-down culture, but emphasized that his behavior stopped short of malfeasance. Among Eisner's Ovitz stories: At a retreat for 200 top Disney execs, everyone toured the park in luxury buses except Ovitz, who followed the group in his limousine. Ovitz also threw a fit when Eisner was trying to bury his own mother. En route to the grave site, Ovitz got out of his car and upbraided a driver whose car was blocking the hearse.

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Mickey, they're coming to see you for 52nd time

There may be others in the land of the Quad-Cities who have visited Walt Disney World with more frequency, but only Mickey Mouse would know.

Arne and Wanda Kloster will leave on Thanksgiving Day for their 52nd visit to Disney World. They will begin with their first trip on the Disney Magic cruise ship. It will be a seven-day ride with Donald Duck and Goofy, and after that they will drop in at Disney World for a week or so with Mickey and his pals.

Disney World has become an obsession for the friendly Moline couple. They make two or three trips there a year, and are so non-stop that they buy annual year-long passes, which Wanda says runs about $800 for the couple.

"It keeps us young," says Wanda, who meets visitors at the door of their apartment with a Cinderella smile. The doormat is Mickey, with outstretched arms. The Seven Dwarfs are outside, always dressed for the season. Inside, it's like the Magic Kingdom. There is a spread of a miniature Disneyland on a giant table, and in every nook of the apartment, Mickey and Minnie are peeking around. Wanda figures that she and Arne have at least a thousand Mickey Mouses. Even the bathroom is Disney-esque, with M. Mouse towels.

Arne and Wanda know just about everyone at Disney World so well that they wear shirts autographed by employees and managers. "We bring them gifts. They love us, and we love them."

Fifty-two visits is a lot of Disney, but the Klosters can't get enough. "You can't see too much of Disney," she says. The visit this week is special because it is their 50th wedding anniversary, and it would be no surprise if Pluto is there to bark a welcome.

The visits began in 1980 when their son, Mike, died in an accident. "Christmas that year was going to be a bummer, so I told my husband we weren't going to stay home. A grandchild was looking at a Disney book and out popped the Contemporary Hotel at Disney World. I said, 'That's where we're going for Christmas.' "

They've been going to Disney World every Christmas since. And a few times in between each year.

"We go every spring for the flower show and have escaped down there in the summer just for the heck of it. We have standing reservations at the Caribbean Beach. They know what room we like, and know us so well they will call and say, 'Better take sweaters when you come down; it's been chilly here lately.'"

Sure, it can cost — maybe $2,000 or so for each week or 10 days for the two of them. But Wanda poses a good question: "How can you put a price tag on memories?"

They like to share the joy in a place where she says problems don't matter. They've taken their two daughters to Disney World; they've taken their five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as special guests. Wanda laughs: "I tell them when they go with us: 'When you read the will and the money is gone, you spent it here.' "

Wanda and Arne take time to see it all, and if the lines aren't long, will try the rides.

"The Christmas holidays are our favorite. Then, it's really magic. Where else can there be imitation snow falling along Main Street for the grand parade."

Wanda goes into a state of rapture to describe Epcot, its music and lights, at Christmas time. "Ask anyone, they says there's nothing like Epcot at Christmas time."

They are so hooked on Disney World that they've never been to Disneyland in California.

"Maybe some day we'll go, but we'll stick to Florida — at least for a few dozen more times," she says.

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Matterhorn Re-Opens Tomorrow

Disneyland - Matterhorn CM's were called in this past weekend to ready the Matterhorn for this weeks re-opening.

The Matterhorn, which was scheduled to open this Wednesday, November 24th, is actually going to re-open Tuesday, the 23rd.

The CM's were running tests on the ride vehicles for most of the day Saturday. And on Saturday, the finishing touches were being added to the load/unload area as well as the walkway around the Matterhorn.

It will be so wonderful to see all the construction walls removed and our beloved ride open once again.

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Planning around your time-share

This past week my family made our annual pilgrimage to the happiest place in the world: Walt Disney World.

Disney has been my family's destination of choice since our children arrived a couple of years ago. Since my family and I are Disney regulars, we bought our own little piece of the magic by buying an interest in the Disney Vacation Club.

The Disney Vacation Club is essentially Disney's version of a time-share. For one week each year, my family has the use of a two-bedroom condominium at the Old Key West.

Now, what does this have to do with estate planning? A time-share is an all too common asset in a person's estate that is often overlooked. I'm not sure why, but it has been my experience that clients often neglect to mention the time-share when planning their estate.

Perhaps it is because a lot of time-shares have been around since the 1970s and there is a perception that many of them have little or no value. Perhaps people just don't think of time-share as something they own.

In any case, it is important to consider the ownership interest in a time-share when planning your estate.

Time-shares offer a couple of estate planning difficulties. For one thing, time-shares are often difficult to value. The secondary market on time-shares tends to be soft and obtaining a reliable value can be difficult at best.

Another unique difficulty that time-shares offer is the fact that the overwhelming majority of time-shares are deeded interests. In other words, you own real estate in the state where the time-share is located. Because most time-shares are real estate interests, your estate could face the dreaded "ancillary estate."

An ancillary estate is essentially an estate that is opened in a jurisdiction other than in Indiana to administer the out-of-state property. In other words, if you own real estate in another state, chances are you may have to open a probate proceeding in that state to deal with it.

Even though you are an Indiana resident, Indiana Courts can't exercise jurisdiction over the real estate in another state such as Florida. That means that you may have to get Florida's courts involved to transfer title.

The best way to avoid the ancillary estate is to use a trust. If your trust owns the time-share, it can transfer the interest without the need for probate. In my case, the Vacation Club interest was deeded directly into our trust.

In many cases, whether a person should create a trust really comes down to a pay-me-now or pay-me-later proposition. If you create a trust, it costs a lot more up front but the savings after death can be significant. On the other hand, if you create an estate plan using a will, you save money up front, but pay the costs at the end.

The ancillary estate situation is one of the true times when a trust is almost certainly the answer. If you own an out-of-state time-share or any other out of state real estate, I guarantee a trust is the answer to your estate planning needs.

Christopher W. Yugo is a Member of the Indiana Bar and a Vice President and Trust Officer for Centier Bank's Trust Department. Chris' Estate Planning Article will appear every Monday in the Times. Address questions to Chris in care of The Times, 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, Indiana 46321. Chris' information is meant to be general in nature. Specific legal, tax, or insurance questions should be referred to your attorney, accountant, or estate-planning specialist.

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Disney Online and the Kauffman Foundation Present ``Opportunity City'' at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot

New INNOVENTIONS Exhibit Brings Hot Shot Business Game to Life,
Combining Interactive Entertainment with Entrepreneurial Education

Disney Online, part of The Walt Disney Internet Group and creator of the number one kids' entertainment and family community sites online, and the entrepreneurship experts at the Kauffman Foundation today announced the opening of the new Opportunity City exhibit at INNOVENTIONS East pavilion at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Featuring interactive, state-of-the-art activity stations, the exhibit brings to life the fun and challenge of learning about entrepreneurship that kids have enjoyed for the past eighteen months through the highly successful Disney-Kauffman "Hot Shot Business" Internet simulation game (www.hotshotbusiness.com).

"Kids have a natural desire for the independence and control that come with owning a business and being their own boss," said Carl J. Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. "In fact, research tells us that more than 41 percent of kids ages nine to twelve say they would like to start their own business. Exposing them early to entrepreneurship as a choice and reinforcing the value small businesses bring to our economy is crucial. The hands-on features of the new INNOVENTIONS exhibit go even further in helping teach the concepts and skills that will prepare the entrepreneurs of tomorrow."

The Opportunity City exhibit consists of several activity stations, including state-of-the-art interactive kiosks. At each station, guests play a series of games where they must think and act quickly while learning what it takes to run a successful business.

"The Opportunity City exhibit gives kids the chance to run a virtual business and learn first hand just how fun and challenging entrepreneurship can be," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online. "The exhibit is housed within the innovative and entertaining facilities unique to Disney, and kids will feel right at home in this exciting environment."

The Opportunity City exhibit includes:

  • Nine kiosks with a special version of the "Hot Shot Business" computer game, highlighting the nuts and bolts of running a business.
  • "Family Business Rally," in which the basic principles of marketing, supply and demand, and cooperation converge in a uniquely fast-paced and fun environment. In the game, a group of three guests is positioned around the outside of a "virtual town." The three players each take on a role to run the business: buyer, seller and advertiser. The team must then work together to sell the most products within a limited time.
  • The "Opportunity Challenge" video game -- a fast-paced game that teaches the concepts of market opportunity recognition, and supply and demand.
  • A video "D-Mail" station (Disney video e-mail) called "Creating the Buzz," which highlights key marketing skills by allowing visitors to film a commercial for their new business and e-mail the video home.
  • A presentation called "Everyday Entrepreneurs," which mixes animated segments, stories and images inspired by real-life child entrepreneurs, and business information in an uplifting and empowering setting. This piece validates entrepreneurship as a career goal while remaining entertaining and fun for young guests. It engenders the feeling that, "If they can do it, so can I!"

"It's exciting to bring `Hot Shot Business' to life with this exhibit and have the opportunity to inspire the children visiting INNOVENTIONS," said Craig Armstrong, project director, Kauffman Foundation. "The creative team did a great job translating our educational messages into a format that resonates with kids."

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Disney Cruise Line Magical Holiday Cruises: Something for Everyone on Santa's List

With a first-ever 10-night holiday cruise, a private island transformed into a 'winter wonderland' and two Disney cruise ships full of holiday magic, Disney Cruise Line has a pixie- dusted celebration lined up for all December cruise vacations this season.

                                                                            

Beginning at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla., festive holiday decor and Disney characters dressed in their season's best await all who board a Magical Holiday sailing. On board the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests find the ships decked with boughs of holly and filled with holiday-themed entertainment and activities for the entire family.

On Board

Complete with 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260 feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon, Magical Holidays activities, entertainment and dining continue the magic at sea with:

* A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium lobby, where "snow" magically falls

* A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids

* Special family time, when families join together to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses

* A Disney Cruise Line rendition of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by the main stage performers

* Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms * Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services * A ship-wide party to ring in 2005 and a New Year's Day tailgate party At Castaway Cay

Additionally, Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay, located in the Bahamas, is literally a magical wonderland, where a new themed decor package has transformed the sandy island into a "snowy" holiday hideaway.

At a balmy 73 degrees, the forecast calls for snow flurries, ideal for Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts) who greet guests as they step off the gangway onto the island. Guests will also find a 40-foot tall tropical Christmas tree, carolers and a sleigh full of presents in the middle of this Bahamian paradise. Disney characters, dressed in holiday island styles, sign autographs and pose for photos to the beat of holiday tunes while the island's tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Rates, Dates and Itineraries

Three-night cruises depart every Thursday (Dec. 2 ,9, 16, 23 and 30), while four-night cruises depart every Sunday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26) with calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409 and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruise vacations depart every Saturday (Dec. 4, 11 and 28) and start at $829, alternating between a western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Disney's first-ever 10-night cruise vacation departs Saturday, Dec. 18 with rates starting at $1899.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable cruise experience not found anywhere else. During the summer of 2005, Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a pre- or post-stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit http://www.disneycruise.com/ or call Disney Cruise Line at (888) DCL-2500.

CONTACT: Disney Cruise Line Public Relations, +1-407-566-3687

Web site: http://www.disneycruise.com/

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DisneyHand Kicks Off Holiday Season with a Donation of $110,000, Merchandise & Toy Drive to Benefit Toys for Tots

DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, today kicked off the holiday season by supporting The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive with a donation of $110,000. Disney's support for Toys for Tots has spanned the past 56 years - ever since Walt Disney became one of the original sponsors of the foundation which strives to ensure that each underserved child in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico receives a toy during the holiday season.

In addition, Disney and its affiliated ABC Television Network are rallying around Toys for Tots in several other meaningful ways. Disney Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner recorded a Toys for Tots holiday message that will be featured during the airing of The Santa Clause on ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney in December (check local listings). Further, cast members from ABC's According to Jim lent their talents to Toys for Tots' mission by taping a special public service announcement that will air on the ABC Television Network and its affiliates throughout the holiday season.

Also joining in to support the 2004 toy drive through public service announcements are Masiela Lusha from The George Lopez Show, Kaley Cuoco and Martin Spanjers of 8 Simple Rules, Andrea Parker and Sherri Shepherd of Less Than Perfect and Mark Valley and Rhona Mitra from Boston Legal. The PSAs will air as part of the network's "A Better Community" outreach.

In addition to a corporate donation of Disney merchandise, Disney is holding an employee toy drive, placing bins in key locations to make it easy for those wishing to participate to donate new toys. In 2003, DisneyHand's monetary and toy donations to Toys for Tots totaled approximately $1.4 million.

"Every year as the holiday season approaches, we look forward to continuing Walt Disney's commitment to Toys for Tots with our participation in this charitable program," said Eisner. "Through the Disney organization we bring together our employees, talent and resources to help make sure that every deserving child can experience the joy of receiving a special gift for the holidays."

Added Bill Grein, vice president, Marketing & Development, Toys for Tots: "The U.S. Marine Corps is thrilled to have our oldest and dearest corporate sponsor, The Walt Disney Company, back in such a significant way for our 2004 Toys for Tots campaign. For decades Disney has helped us fulfill the dreams of countless children who otherwise would have been overlooked during the holidays. Not only do we greatly appreciate the generous cash and toy donations, but Disney and the ABC Television Network will be instrumental in generating national attention for our program."

A sponsor of Toys for Tots since its inception in 1947, The Walt Disney Company has a long history with the organization. In 1948, Walt Disney and his animators personally designed the original Toys for Tots train logo that is still used today. Disney also designed the first poster created for Toys for Tots which featured Santa Claus with a bag full of toys.

Last year's collection achieved record breaking numbers, with Toys for Tots distributing 15 million toys to 6.5 million children. While Toys for Tots coordinators manage the campaign, the ultimate success of the foundation is reliant upon the generosity of the people who donate toys.

Most local toy collection campaigns run now through December 17th. After the collection period is complete, Toys for Tots coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups and other community agencies, will distribute the toys to the needy children in each community served by Toys for Tots. For more information on The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive, please visit www.toysfortots.org.

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Finding Nemo fish to be emblem

THE cute orange-and-white clownfish made famous by the hit Disney cartoon feature Finding Nemo has a starring role as Queensland's official aquatic emblem.

Also known as the Barrier Reef anemone fish, it has been selected by the state government as its official water symbol following extensive community consultation.

The fish was selected by 27 per cent of the 19,200 people who responded to a request for submissions on the emblem, followed by the blue sea star, which got 16 per cent of the vote.

It beat a list of other sea creatures, including the Australian brain coral, the Dwarf minke whale, the Barramundi cod and the Queensland grouper.

The clownfish will sit beside the state's existing symbols, including the koala, the Cooktown orchid, the brolga and the sapphire.

Premier Peter Beattie said the clownfish was the popular choice.

"This is people power in action," Mr Beattie said.

"I think the anemone fish encapsulates the vibrancy of our outdoor lifestyle and the colourful spirit of Queensland."

Mr Beattie said he was not capitalising on the success of Nemo, saying the two fish were merely "cousins" and the Queensland emblem was the "real fish".
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                                                         Sunday November 21, 2004
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'National Treasure' Grabs Box Office Gold
 
Nicolas Cage's "National Treasure" debuted as the No. 1 weekend movie with $35.3 million, coming in just ahead of "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," which opened in second with $33.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
After two weekends in the No. 1 spot, the animated superhero tale "The Incredibles" slipped to third with $26.8 million, lifting its total to $177.8 million.

Tom Hanks' Christmas adventure "The Polar Express" came in fourth with $15.2 million in its second weekend. Costing $170 million to make, the movie has had a cool reception from audiences, taking in $51 million in 10 days.
After a healthy $8.7 million debut in narrower release of 530 theaters a week earlier, Renee Zellweger's "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" had a so-so expansion, taking in $10.1 million in 2,450 cinemas. A sequel to the 2001 romantic comedy hit, the movie came in at No. 5.

Hollywood had a second straight weekend of rising revenues after a slump that lasted most of autumn. The top 12 movies grossed $144.8 million, up 15 percent from the same weekend last year.

The strong revenues provide a good springboard into Thanksgiving, one of Hollywood's busiest weekends. The crowd of family films -- including Tim Allen's "Christmas With the Kranks," opening Wednesday -- should prove a powerful draw over the long weekend, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

"With this many family films, it's going to be a bloodbath," Dergarabedian said. "`The Incredibles' is going to be a huge factor, 'Spongy' is going to be a huge factor. Even 'Polar Express,' which people were trashing on, will be a factor because it's a holiday movie."

"National Treasure," Cage's fourth collaboration with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, centers on a plot to steal the Declaration of Independence to obtain the hidden clues to a colossal fortune stashed by the Founding Fathers.

Unlike Bruckheimer action flicks aimed at the adult-male crowd, "National Treasure" had a softer PG rating that opened it to family audiences. The movie drew solidly among all age groups and scored well among women, too, said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney, which released "National Treasure."

"Jerry's core audience goes in looking for a great piece of action, and it delivered on that," Viane said. But the PG rating "expands the size of your audience so you get a much bigger spread of folks coming in."

"The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" is the first big-screen adventure for the Nickelodeon TV cartoon bottom-dweller, a cheery sponge who lives among his aquatic pals. The movie was generally well-received by critics, who called it a cheery breath of fresh air and good humor.

A big part of SpongeBob's appeal is that he is eternally optimistic, presenting a good role model for children, said Wayne Lewellen, head of distribution for Paramount, which released the movie.

"The character always seems to be happy and accepts everything in good nature, whatever it is," Lewellen said.

In limited release, Pedro Almodovar's "Bad Education" had a terrific opening, grossing $147,366 in three theaters. The movie's convoluted plot centers on the relationship of two boys whose budding romance is destroyed by a jealous priest.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "National Treasure," $35.3 million.
2. "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," $33.5 million.
3. "The Incredibles," $26.8 million.
4. "The Polar Express," $15.2 million.
5. "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," $10.1 million.
6. "After the Sunset," $5.3 million.
7. "Ray, $4.6 million.
8. "The Grudge," $3.8 million.
9. "Seed of Chucky," $3.1 million.
10. "Saw," $3 million.
 
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Disney trial often gets personal as Ovitz, Eisner testify
 
The lawsuit shareholders have brought against Disney has come to resemble a Hollywood potboiler of betrayed friendships, secret meetings and wounded egos.

During five days of testimony, Disney chief executive Michael Eisner delivered a forceful and often bittersweet account of the 14-month tenure of agent-to-the-stars Michael Ovitz as Disney's president.

The lawsuit contends that Disney's board was negligent in hiring Ovitz to a lucrative deal - and negligent again because it agreed to fork over a cash and stock package valued at $140 million to get him out in Dec. 1995.

While the case, which is expected to last a few more weeks, centers on the corporate governance, the testimony has often been personal. It is being held in Delaware because - like many large companies - that's where Disney is incorporated.

Eisner, whose testimony ended Friday, acknowledged being less than candid during a joint appearance with Ovitz on CNN's Larry King Live in September 1996. On the show, Eisner dismissed reports of tension between the two men and said he would hire Ovitz again, if given the chance.

In reality, Eisner already had decided to fire Ovitz. Eisner, who denied a lawyer's contention that he lied, said he wasn't completely candid during the interview because Sony was considering hiring Ovitz.

"It was unfortunate and stupid and I wish we hadn't done it," Eisner said of the joint appearance on the cable talk show.

During their trial testimony, Eisner and Ovitz offered different accounts of their friendship.

"I was best friends with this guy and his family," Ovitz told the judge in October when he testified at the start of the trial. "I loved this guy like a brother."

Ovitz, who called Eisner his "life partner," said he felt Eisner turned his back when senior executives isolated him in the last months of his tenure.

"I was cut out like cancer. I guess you could say I got pushed out of the sixth floor window," Ovitz said, referencing his sixth-floor office at Disney's Burbank headquarters.

Eisner had a different view of their relationship.

"Michael Ovitz had a lot of best friends," Eisner testified. "Michael Ovitz is a salesman. We all deal in hyperbole. ... I liked him. I liked his wife. I was amused by him. He was fun to go to dinner with. He was one of my friends."

But Eisner's sense of betrayal was just as keen, especially in the days after the firing was announced.

Eisner said he was "about as mad as I've ever been" upon learning that Ovitz was secretly trying to make deals with other media companies, even while employed by Disney, and had been spinning his departure to make Eisner look foolish.

Ovitz hired a public relations firm that tried to get ahead of the story by telling reporters "about the great rip-off Michael Ovitz had done to the Walt Disney Co.," Eisner said.

"It was an incredible betrayal," he said. "He just threw it right in the company's face."

With both men venting their frustrations, it's worth remembering they are on the same side of this case.

Ovitz and Eisner were both board members at the time of Ovitz's departure and both maintain Ovitz did nothing to deserve firing for cause.

Lawyers for shareholders counter that Ovitz's performance was so poor, he should have been fired and not paid the remainder of his contract.

During cross examination, Eisner said he could not remember specific deals that Ovitz negotiated for the company and could not confirm Ovitz's testimony about specific instances in which Ovitz acted on Disney's behalf.

During his testimony, Ovitz cataloged a number of deals he championed and a number of times he acted to soothe ruffled egos and keep talent from leaving Disney.

Each time Ovitz proposed some deal, such as partnering on a music venture with Sony or signing big-name movie directors, Eisner vetoed the idea, often citing the expense.

"Michael would not allow me to make the financial offer," Ovitz said of his plan to sign Janet Jackson to Disney-owned Hollywood records.

Eisner said that, while Ovitz did not want to "do the mundane work of operating the company," Eisner had "no reason to believe he was doing something that was not in the best interests of the company."

The trial so far has not been without moments of humor and several uses of baseball metaphors.

Asked what he considered his biggest mistake in his 20-year tenure as Disney's chief executive, Eisner said, "I guess the two biggest personnel mistakes like this would be Michael Ovitz and Mo Vaughn."

Eisner personally authorized the then Disney-owned Anaheim Angels baseball team to spend freely on hiring talent after the 1998 season. The Angels paid Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn $80 million, but Vaughn injured his ankle in his first game for the team.

"I don't blame myself for Mo Vaughn, but it was almost as expensive," Eisner quipped.

Ovitz employed his own baseball references.

"I was like a batter that was in a slump," Ovitz said of his final months at Disney. "I just needed a hit. I just needed a single."

And Ovitz also managed a few laughs, like the time the plaintiff's lawyer Steven Schulman apologized for taking so much time to find a document.

"Mr. Schulman, I have no job right now, so I have all the time in the world."

The trial resumes this week with testimony from ex-Disney executives and former board members.

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AIG Struggles in Disney Mousetrap

The one with the most to lose in the shareholder trial against Walt Disney isn't Michael Eisner, or even Michael Ovitz.

It's American International Group Inc., which insured the officers and directors of Disney, and could be forced to pay $200 million if the company loses the case.

That's why AIG is plotting ways to escape the policy if it comes to that.

"AIG's lawyers have been watching all through the trial to find ways to disclaim the policy," said lawyer Jeff Klink, an authority on corporate malfeasance. For instance, executive coverage often includes a "bad faith" provision that applies if directors were negligent.

"AIG will use any board or corporate misconduct to hold against Disney and the others. It's going to be a battle royale."

Boards across the nation are also watching for AIG's reaction, since it could be a sign of what's ahead in boardrooms for insurance protection of thousands of directors and officers.

"This lawsuit is the perfect illustration of the crisis in director-and-officer insurance," said lawyer and author Alan Sklover, a corporate compensation expert.

"All the corporate chicanery in recent years has made it easy for insurers to disclaim their policies. Collecting on this kind of situation is extremely difficult. If AIG wins its fight and won't pay the policy, we'll have a lot of unhappy directors, and we'll also see a lot of board resignations."

"It's common for directors today to refuse to make any decisions on a board until the legal staff has consulted first with the insurance company to see if the directors-and-offercers policy covers the action," Sklover said.

When Ovitz walked away with one of the biggest severance packages in corporate history after just 14 months as Disney's president, he triggered an uproar and a shareholder suit that is now at trial after almost eight years.

The fact that the suit got this far is a surprise since most of these cases never make it to court. Insurance companies usually find it cheaper to settle. AIG reportedly rejected the proposed settlement claims.

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Cross-Examination of Eisner Causes Some

Michael D. Eisner, the chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, ended his fifth day on the stand in the shareholder lawsuit where he defended the hiring and firing of the former president, Michael S. Ovitz, once one of Hollywood's most celebrated power brokers.

Mr. Eisner testified on Friday in the lawsuit filed seven years ago on behalf of Disney shareholders who contend that directors breached their fiduciary duty when Mr. Ovitz, a former Hollywood agent, was hired as president in 1995 and then fired 14 months later with a package valued at $140 million.

In a testy cross-examination by Steven Schulman, a lawyer representing shareholders, Mr. Eisner said that he did not recall or know of some instances when Mr. Ovitz said he acted on Disney's behalf. Mr. Eisner did not recall, for example, if Mr. Ovitz came up with a specific proposal to acquire Putnam Publishing. Mr. Ovitz testified last month that he sought deals in several divisions.

At times Mr. Schulman seemed not only to frustrate Mr. Eisner, but also William B. Chandler III, the chancellor presiding over the trial. In the morning session, Mr. Schulman questioned Mr. Eisner about Mr. Ovitz's state of mind in May 1996 after the two went to see the Broadway play "Rent," a modern-day retelling of "La Bohème." In earlier testimony, Mr. Eisner said he thought Mr. Ovitz was distraught.

When Mr. Schulman and Mr. Eisner got into a dispute over the show's storyline (in "Rent" the characters are living in the shadow of AIDS), Mr. Chandler told the lawyer that he should move on. When Mr. Schulman did not, Mr. Eisner snapped at him: "I think we were told to move on. I'm not going to argue about AIDS."

It was not the first time tempers flared. On Wednesday, Mr. Chandler called Mr. Schulman into his chambers after he and Mr. Eisner's lawyer, Gary Naftalis, sparred over Mr. Schulman's questions regarding a memorandum about Mr. Ovitz.

Mr. Eisner's testimony throughout the five days, in which he said repeatedly that hiring Mr. Ovitz was a mistake, appeared to have all the elements of a Shakespearean drama. But it also had its poignant moments.

On Friday, Mr. Schulman asked Mr. Eisner if a memo he wrote on Dec. 26, 1995, about ethics was written with Mr. Ovitz in mind.

Mr. Eisner said no, instead he was musing about business during a holiday in Aspen, Colo.

The memo written to Tony Schwartz, who was a co-author of Mr. Eisner's autobiography "Work in Progress," was titled, "Some rough ideas on the nature of fiction, tragedy, ethics and corporate survival."

"Most tragedy comes to those who simply make a mistake," Mr. Eisner wrote. "The higher the position of the person making the mistake, the more interesting the fall, and the further the fall. That is drama and that is life."

Mr. Eisner went on in the memo to say that he did not want to become tragic personally, "but rather understand it in fiction." He ended it, adding, "Admitting a mistake wisely, taking the flak, fixing the problem: these are the things that bring about salvation."

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Group sends family to Walt Disney World

An Amarillo family is having a Florida vacation this week thanks to Kidd's Kids, a group that takes ailing children to Walt Disney World. Santos Chavez and his mom, Michelle Chavez, left on their trip to the magical place Thursday and will return Monday.

Kidd's Kids was founded in 1990 by nationally syndicated radio personality Kidd Kraddick. Kraddick is the host of the "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show," which is syndicated into 28 markets through Premiere Radio Networks and can be heard locally on 93.1 The Beat, KQIZ.

Kidd's Kids sponsors the annual trip to Walt Disney World for children between the ages of 5 and 12 who suffer from a chronic or terminal illness, are physically challenged or have a catastrophic impairment due to an injury or accident. The children selected for the Kidd's Kids trip must also demonstrate a financial need.

Over the years, 545 children and their families have attended the Kidd's Kids trip, totaling over 1,760 people.

Kidd's Kids covers all expenses, which include airfare, hotel, park passes, meals, transportation, spending money and souvenirs. Most of the funding comes from donations made by listeners of the "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning" radio show, corporate sponsors and various fund-raising events.

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Push Comes To Shove When The Savages Square Off Against Their Mean Old Neighbor, Mrs. Riley, On ABC's "Complete Savages"

"The Man Without a Ball" – When Nick leaves the boys to rake the yard while he goes off to golf with Jimmy, they decide instead to play a game of "rake ball," but accidentally hit their dad's championship baseball over the fence and into mean old Mrs. Riley's (Betty White) yard. When Mrs. Riley refuses to give the ball back, it turns into an all-out feud, on "Complete Savages," FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Starring in "Complete Savages" are Keith Carradine as Nick, Andrew Eiden as Sam, Shaun Sipos as Jack, Erik von Detten as Chris, Evan Ellingson as Kyle, Jason Dolley as T.J. and Vincent Ventresca as Jimmy.

Guest Starring in "The Man Without a Ball" is Betty White as Mrs. Riley.

"The Man Without a Ball" was written by Donick Cary and directed by Mel Gibson.

"Complete Savages" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

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                                                     Saturday November 20, 2004
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Disney chief at odds with shareholders
 
Controversial Disney Co. chief executive Michael Eisner has been tough and unflappable defending himself this week against shareholder charges that he wasted 140 million dollars by taking on Michael Ovitz as president in 1995.
Eisner has put on a gala performance in the witness box in front of Delaware judge, Chancellor William Chandler, who will have to decide which of the array of star witnesses in the case is most credible.

Disney shareholders are suing Eisner, Ovitz and the board of directors of 1995-96 seeking the return of the 140 million dollar severance package paid to Ovitz-who lasted only 15 months at Disney-plus 60 million dollars in interest.
They accuse the two former friends of colluding in the hiring process and the directors of taking "wrongful inaction".

Under questioning Friday from shareholders' attorney Steven Schulman, Eisner said he understood his duty was: "You have to do what is right for your shareholders and what is right for your company-you can't do anything that is only in your best interest."

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"Most excellent" Sea Turtle Crush from Finding Nemo Converses with Guests at The Living Seas in Epcot

Imagine Crush, the sea turtle from "Finding Nemo," stopping mid-stream, turning to the audience from his movie-screen undersea environment and saying, "Hey you -- dude in the green-striped shirt -- what's that on your head?" Walt Disney Imagineers have created precisely this kind of magical interaction in "Turtle Talk With Crush" at Epcot.

                                            

The breakthrough experience gives Walt Disney World guests the chance to engage in live, unrehearsed conversations with the animated sea turtle from the Disney presentation of Pixar's "Finding Nemo." From his digital world under the sea, Crush chats, plays and jokes with guests in a unique, personalized way. The 152-year-old turtle recognizes guests and asks them questions about themselves and the human world in the first-of-its-kind live, real-time animated show.

Located in The Living Seas pavilion at Epcot, "Turtle Talk With Crush" is the latest milestone in Disney's legacy of bringing characters to life in new and incredible ways. It represents Imagineering's latest foray into real-time animation. Using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation, Imagineers created a new way for Disney guests to talk with this personality-rich character.

The new show began as a prototype in the Research and Development labs of Walt Disney Imagineering in California three years ago. The challenge was to give guests a way to personally interact with Crush from his animated, undersea world.

"The Imagineering team exceeded our wildest hopes, and "Turtle Talk With Crush" is a magical experience that delights children and adults of all ages," said Kathy Mangum, executive show producer and vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering. "You never know what he is going to say, and our guests will be enchanted and amazed."

"Turtle Talk With Crush" opens the door to a new realm of theme park experiences -- one in which Disney guests and their favorite animated characters can talk, joke and play together in a way that only Disney can create.

Also new at The Living Seas: Bruce's Shark World.

Bruce, another of the stars from "Finding Nemo" (the one with the memorably toothy countenance), is featured in an interactive area that provides guests with photo opportunities plus colorful graphics full of fun facts about sharks.

Bruce's Shark World and "Turtle Talk With Crush" are included with Epcot admission and are presented during Future World operating hours.

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Tune in to creativity, Disney designer says
 
Explaining how creative thinking helps in everyday life, a visitor told Anderson Elementary School students Thursday to "practice seeing the world, not as it is, but how it could be."

Steve Beyer, a senior concept designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said ride designers used the movie "A Bug's Life" to design a Disneyland ride.

"Look at it from a bug's point of view," Beyer said.

Members of the Disney company visited Anderson through a joint venture of The Disney Channel and Charter Communications as part of Charter's education partnership with the school. The "Imagineer That! A Creativity Adventure" presentation was designed to encourage children to tap into their creative powers through a sequence of activities or experiences.

Beyer introduced "creativity sparks," used to jump-start activity in everyday life: setting up a thinking place, researching, practice seeing the world not as it is but how it could be, draw it out, question everything, shake things up and if in doubt, turn it inside out.

The seven sparks can be applied to school projects and well as to those at home, Beyer said.

The presentation was part of the ABC Cable Network group's learning together public affairs campaign, which was created to enhance children's learning and personal growth through family involvement in reading, creativity and teaching.

"With all the focus we have these days on academic skills, when you have something that allows students to tap into their creative side and use their brain in a different way, you don't want to pass it up," Anderson principal Pete Hall said. "You want to capitalize on it."

Paloma Radilla, 10, said she benefited from the lesson.

"I learned that imagining is fun because it opens doors to a lot of things," she said. "You can open the doors to imagination and you could travel lots of places and meets lots of people in your mind."

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                                                        Friday November 19, 2004
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Proposal seeks to keep a Disney heir on board

Heirs of Walt Disney Co.'s founders, Walt and Roy O. Disney, would be guaranteed representation on the company's board of directors under a shareholder proposal submitted for the 2005 annual meeting.

Roy E. Disney, a critic of chief executive Michael Eisner, resigned from the board last year. A proposal submitted by Frank Wierenga, a Pennsylvania investor who has owned Disney stock since 1979, seeks to ensure that at least one member of the Disney family holds a seat on the board.

"Their name is on everything Disney touches, and for them to have some kind of say over how their name is presented and how their legacy is presented, I think is very important," Wierenga said in an interview.

The company sought to exclude the proposal from its proxy statement on grounds it related to the election of directors and asked the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission for assurances that they would not take action against Disney if the company omitted the resolution.

This week, the SEC told Disney that the proposal would qualify for inclusion in the proxy, provided the investor rephrased it as a request, not a mandate, in accordance with Delaware law. Disney is incorporated in Delaware.

Wierenga, who said he hasn't seen the SEC's letter, intends to resubmit his resolution.

Because of the SEC's conditional clearance, the company now must decide whether to exclude the proposal and risk being overruled by the SEC, or include the resolution and urge investors to vote against it.

Disney spokesman John Spelich didn't return phone calls.

Wierenga owns "right around 100 shares" of Disney.

The proposal, if passed by shareholders and adopted by the board, would only require Disney representation on the board provided an heir is available and willing to serve.

Roy Disney's departure left the board with no representation from the founders' family. Roy O. Disney founded the Disney Brothers Studio with his brother, Walt, in 1923. Walt Disney died in 1966; his brother died in 1971.

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'National Treasure' deftly blends history, heist
 
History lessons are rarely as fun as this fast-paced action movie.
   
Rated PG for action violence and some scary images; 131 minutes.
   
Opening today everywhere.
   
Johnny Carson used to say, “You buy the premise, you buy the bit” - and there's a whole lot of premise to swallow in the action-adventure “National Treasure,” but in the end it's worth it.
   
Here's the setup: Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian saddled with the family duty of finding and protecting a centuries-old treasure guarded by the Knights Templar and hidden in America by the Freemasons - notably, our founding fathers George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
   
After finding a clue to the treasure on an 18th-century clipper trapped in the Arctic Circle (actually filmed at Utah's Strawberry Reservoir), Gates and his computer-hacker sidekick Riley (“Gigli” survivor Justin Bartha) have a falling-out with their wealthy benefactor Ian Lowe (Sean Bean).
   
Gates realizes the next clue to the treasure hunt is on, of all things, the back of the copy of the Declaration   of Independence now housed at the National Archives. When he further realizes Lowe also knows this, and that the pretty archivist Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) won't let him examine the parchment, Gates comes to the quite logical conclusion that the only way to protect the Declaration of Independence is to steal it before Lowe does.
   
A movie that uses stealing the Declaration of Independence as a starting point? Need I mention that this is a Jerry Bruckheimer production?
   
Yes, but it's your kinder, gentler Jerry Bruckheimer, thanks to Jon Turteltaub, a director of comedies (“While You Were Sleeping,” “Disney's The Kid”) making his first foray into action flicks.
   
Turteltaub and his tag-team of writers throw the characters through a merry chase through national landmarks in Washington, Philadelphia and New York (mostly filmed at the actual locations, glowingly shot by “The Passion of the Christ” cinematographer Caleb Deschanel). They give Cage room to find the humor in Gates, a reluctant Indiana Jones turning outlaw for all the best reasons. And, even with rousing action sequences and a propulsive pace, they bring it home with a   family friendly PG rating.
   
“National Treasure” is a fun and fast-paced popcorn movie, chock full of breakneck chases, hair's-breadth escapes and dangling cliffhangers. Just don't think too much about how what's hanging most precariously is your suspension of disbelief. 
 
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Turkish Stand in Florida Disney World

Hosting 33.000 visitors interested in tourism every day in its parks and leisure centers, Walt Disney World in the US state of Florida holds big opportunities for promotion of tourism in Turkey.

Many countries from all around the world are competing to participate in the promotional activities to be organized for Walt Disney's 50th anniversary next year.

Turks living in Florida, noticing the interest and the opportunities for promotion, have suggested a Turkish stand in Disney World, conveying their desire for Turkey's participation in the celebrations.

The Turks have also reportedly conveyed their desires and demands to New York Consulate General authorities in Florida. It was reported that first impressions of the authorities after initial inquiries were positive and that a stand in Disney's Epcot theme park could be rented.

Clarifying that there would be no large expenditure needed for the promotion if it was approved by Disney World, a well prepared national stand would provide a big opportunity for the promotion of Turkey to Disney's 33,000 daily visitors.

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Disney World, unions settle on contract
 
Florida's Walt Disney World and unions representing 40 percent of its employees have reached a three-year collective bargaining agreement.

The contract approved Thursday night guarantees pay raises and increases in health care premiums, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

It covers 22,000 workers represented by the Service Trades Council, made up of six independent unions covering a diverse array of employees from hotel maids to costumed characters.

"There's no winner here. The employees and management are divided. The unions are divided," said Ed Chambers, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1625. "I don't think anyone in their right mind calls this a victory."

Disney appeared pleased, however.

"We are obviously thrilled the contract was ratified tonight and that our cast members got out to vote," Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said.

The contract passed by a vote of 3,771 to 2,669. The vote was taken a week after workers rejected a nearly identical proposal.

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TV, Theme Parks Bolster Disney's Results

Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 24% as revenue growth in its television networks and parks segments offset a decline in performance at its movie studio division.

For the quarter ended Sept. 30, the entertainment giant late Thursday posted net income of $516 million, or 25 cents a share, compared with $415 million, or 20 cents a share, a year earlier.

Results in the latest quarter were boosted by about six cents a share from the settlement of certain income-tax matters, compared with a similar benefit of about three cents a share in the year-earlier quarter.

Revenue rose 7.5% to $7.54 billion from $7.01 billion.

Revenue from the company's media networks