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Disney News

Check out these Disney related stories. Want to discuss them? Stop by the July171955.COM Discussion Boards and join in!

September 16, 2008
  • Disney to Announce New Vacation Club Properties
    The Orlando Sentinel reports The Walt Disney Company will today announce two new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts to be located in Walt Disney World. One, The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, has been out of the bag for months. Construction on the 15-story tower located along the Monorail line is well under way, and Disney had previously filed several public documents identifying it as a DVC property. The second property will be a small community of 60 units called The Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The Treehouse Villas are scheduled to open in summer 2009, and the Bay Lake Tower will follow in the fall.


September 10, 2008
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Sees Improvement, Continues to Face Challenges
    AFP (via Yahoo News) reports that Hong Kong Disneyland saw a jump in attendance in its third year of operation. The park continues to lag behind projections however, and suffered an operating loss of 272 million Hong Kong dollars for the year. The loss was down from 1.5 billion dollars in year 2. Disney and the Hong Kong government are having difficulty reaching agreement on how any future expansion will be funded.


May 4, 2008
  • Disney to Reacquire Disney Stores, Will Close 100
    CNNMoney.com reported Thursday that The Walt Disney Company will reacquire The Disney Store chain from New Jersey based The Children's Place (TCP). Disney had sold the underperforming chain to TCP in 2004 and the relationship had been troubled ever since. The chain's performance continued to deteriorate under the new management and lost $92.1 million last quarter and $107.3 for the last year. It appears Disney had little choice but to re-purchase the chain unless they were willing to see the stores closed permanently. Hoop Retail Stores, the TCP subsidiary that legally owned the stores, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy back in March. Disney will close 98 of the 220 stores and is now faced with making the chain profitable again. This figures to be a significant challenge for Disney. The chain's drag on Disney earnings was what lead to the sale back in 2004, and the situation has hardly improved.


February 24, 2008
  • Disney's Magical Express Booming, Though Challenges Remain
    Disney's Magical Express, a Walt Disney World airport shuttle and check-in service, transported more than 2.1 million passengers from Orlando International Airport to WDW and Disney's cruise ships in 2007. That's up nearly 9% over 2006, an Orlando Sentinel article reports. The service has carried as many as 12,000+ passengers in one day, and one out of every seven OIA travelers in the month of September. While these numbers show Disney's Magical Express service to be a big hit with its guests, there are a few challenges ahead. Disney's contract with OIA allows the airport to make Disney add a second customer check-in location when the company carries more than 2.2 million passengers in any 12-month period. Should that happen, Disney would have to divide its theme-park and cruise-line shuttle operations and rent more counter and queuing space at opposite ends of the main terminal. Also, Disney's service has resulted in a huge drop in business for other transportation companies, and the National Limousine Association says it is considering an antitrust lawsuit, though even the association admits chances of victory are slim. Another challenge for Disney is that while it has had little trouble filling its buses, Disney has had more difficulty boosting customers' use of Magical Express' related return-flight check-in option. That's a service through which guests can check in for their return flights and drop off their luggage before they even leave Disney property. A major hurdle in this effort is that Disney does not have an agreement in place with Southwest Airlines, the busiest carrier at OIA. Officials on both sides had reported last year they expected to strike a deal in early 2008, but that is yet to happen.
  • Clemens Bows Out of Walt Disney World Event
    In a move that should surprise nobody, pitcher Roger Clemens has bowed out of Walt Disney World's ESPN The Weekend festivities scheduled for February 29th - March 2nd. Walt Disney World and ESPN had named Clemens a co-host, along with quarterback Donovan McNabb, on December 6th, about a week before steroid/HGH allegations against Clemens surfaces. Clemens alluded the allegations, which he denies, in a statement. "I had been looking forward to ESPN The Weekend. Given some strong feelings in some circles today, I believe my current participation could be a distraction," Clemens stated. "The event should be an occasion for fun by all and I want that to be the case for everyone involved. So I will not be coming at this point in time, but I look forward to participating in some future event." Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Judge Dismisses Segway Lawsuit Against Disney
    A federal judge in Orlando has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to allow disabled visitors to ride Segways at Walt Disney World. U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell agreed with Disney World's argument that the three people who sued had not shown they intended to visit the resort anytime soon. The lawsuit was filed in November by a man and a woman from Illinois and a woman from Iowa. They claimed that Disney violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by forbidding the use of the upright Segway scooters in its theme parks. All three people said they relied on Segways for mobility because of health problems. Disney said it has safety concerns about Segways in its often-crowded parks. Reported by WESH.com.


February 18, 2008
  • Workers Picket Disneyland Hotels
    Somewhere between 350 and 560 Disney workers picketed the Paradise Pier and Grand Californian hotels in Anaheim Friday. The workers were protesting the company's handling of stalled contract negotiations. The union and Disney managers can't agree where to hold negotiations, two weeks after contracts expired for 2,300 members. They have yet to exchange proposals. Reported by the Orange County Register.
  • Tampa Ray Will Again Play 3 Games at WDW
    As they did last year, the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly the Devil Rays) will play three Major League Baseball regular season games at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports complex. The games will be April 22-24 and will be against the Toronto Blue Jays. Tickets went on sale Saturday. Reported by TampaBays10.com.


February 14, 2008
  • Disney, Microsoft, HP and Others to Revive 'House of the Future'
    The Walt Disney Co., Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, software maker LifeWare and home builder Taylor Morrison are teaming up to open a 5,000 square foot Home of the Future at Disneyland in Anaheim. Lights and thermostats will automatically adjust when people walk into a room. Closets will help pick out the right dress for a party. Countertops will be able to identify groceries set on them and make menu suggestions. Visitors will experience the look of tomorrow by watching Disney actors playing a family of four preparing for a trip to China. The home will also feature new uses for devices that many visitors may already own, as well as technologies that are still five or 10 years down the road, said Mike Seamons, vice president of marketing at LifeWare, which makes home automation software. Reported by the USA Today.
  • Disney to Create 'American Idol' Attraction
    Disney and the producers of American Idol announced a deal last week to have Disney create a theme park version of the TV show in an old, vacant soundstage theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios. It should open late this year. The Disney version will largely follow the format of the Fox TV show, though of course with different judges. Disney visitors will be able to audition for the show at various locations in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Those who pass will be given tips, vocal coaching, and hair and makeup touch-ups. They will then perform and compete in front of studio audiences in the renovated American Idol soundstage. There will be several preliminary-round shows during the day that will culminate in a "finals" show in the evening.  Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Fire Temporarily Shuts Down Animal Kingdom Attraction
    A fire last Sunday on the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom left one woman slightly injured and the attraction closed for the remainder of the day, park officials said. Between 3 and 4 p.m. a fire broke out near the front of one of the ride vehicles. The fire was caused when an engine hose failed, resulting in a fire in the engine compartment, said Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger. Four guests requested medical evaluation at the scene, and one of them, a woman who complained of a knee injury received when she jumped off the truck, was taken to Celebration Health. The woman was not identified. The ride has since reopened. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


February 7, 2008
  • Disney Beats Wall Street Expectations
    The Walt Disney Company has reported that 1st quarter profit was down 26% when compared to a year earlier, however that was due to one time gains last year for the sale of a magazine and entertainment channel. Excluding one-time items, earnings grew 29% to 63 cents per share, up from 49 cents per share in the prior year period. Revenue rose 9% to $10.45 billion. Revenue at Disney's parks was up 11% to $2.77 billion. The company reported that attendance at its domestic parks was up 3%. The studio entertainment division was the one drag, where revenue was flat at $2.64 billion and operating income fell 15%. This was due to lower DVD sales of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Ratatouille, as compared to Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest a year earlier.


February 2, 2008
  • Iger Gets New Contract
    The Walt Disney Company says it has signed CEO Robert Iger to a new contract that runs through January 31, 2013 and will pay him an annual salary of $2 million, plus bonuses and stock options that could be worth an additional $20 million each year. The new deal also calls for the executive to receive a stock option grant for the purchase of 3 million shares of Disney common stock at the exercised price of $29.50 a share. The executive's previous contract was set to expire Sept. 30, 2010. Reported by the AP via Yahoo News.
  • Disney Launches Online Sweepstakes
    The Walt Disney Company has announced via a press release that Disney.com is launching the "Dreams Come True" online sweepstakes. Five Disney Parks vacations will be given away, with the grand prize being a trip to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and a one night stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite. Fans can enter once per day throughout February here .


January 30, 2008
  • Analyst Cuts Disney's Rating
    Citigroup's Jason Bazinet cut Disney to sell from hold and reduced his target price to $26 a share from $36, saying that weakness in the company's parks business could be on the horizon. Bazinet said in a note to clients that the probability of selling out rooms at Disney's East Coast properties slipped during the last three months of 2007 vs. the year before. He added spot pricing for hotel rooms was down, and that weakness was spilling over to forward pricing. Disney hotel rooms also were cheaper to book one week prior to travel than three months ahead from October to January, Bazinet noted. Disney Chief Financial Officer Thomas Staggs took the unusual step of responding to Bazinet's claims. Normally, Disney and other companies don't reply to analyst reports or ratings. "Thus far, we are pleased with the pace of business at our parks, especially given the fact that we had record attendance at our domestic parks last year," Staggs said in a prepared statement. "Currently, our room reservations at our domestic resorts for the remainder of our fiscal year are modestly ahead of where they were at this time last year," Staggs went on to say. "Thus far, pricing of rooms at our domestic resorts is tracking slightly above last year." Disney shares were down 2.3% in recent action to $28.70. Reported by Marketwatch.com.


January 28, 2007
  • 'Toy Story' Going Back to Theaters in 3-D
    Walt Disney Studios has announced that 3-D versions of both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will be released in theaters prior to the theatrical debut of Toy Story 3, which will also be in 3-D. The 3-D version of Toy Story will premiere October 2, 2009, Toy Story 2 on February 10, 2010, and Toy Story 3 will hit theaters on June 18, 2010. Reported by UPI.


January 22, 2008
  • Disney May Increase Investment in Hong Kong Disneyland
    As attendance at Hong Kong Disneyland continues to falter, The Walt Disney Company may increase its ownership stake in park. That according to Bill Ernest, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland. Ernest said that Disney does "anticipate an additional investment ourselves," though he did not elaborate. Disney owns 43% in the park, while the Hong Kong government owns the other 57%. The park drew 5 million guests in it's first 12 months of operation, which was below forecasts. Attendance then fell below 5 million in the 2nd year, prompting significant criticism from some Hong Kong lawmakers. "We expect to be busier this year than last year," Ernest said, declining to specify targets. Hong Kong Disneyland agreed with lenders in November to remove debt covenants to help it focus on attracting more visitors. Disney will also forgo royalties for at least the near future. Reported by Bloomberg.com.
  • Penelope Cruz Joins 'G-Force' Cast
    The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Penelope Cruz has signed on to voice a brainy guinea pig in G-Force, a combination live-action/computer-animated film from Disney. The story revolves around a group of ultra-intelligent animal commandos who work for a government agency trying to prevent an evil billionaire from taking over the world. Cruz joins a voice cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Steve Buscemi and Tracy Morgan. Bill Nighy and Will Arnett are among the human actors. The tentative release date for the film is May 1, 2009.


January 19, 2008
  • Changes Happening at WDW's Contemporary Resort
    The Dallas Morning News has a fairly detailed review of the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World, including some info on the changes that are continuing at the resort. Nothing new, but a nice summary of what has happened and what is scheduled to happen in the coming months.


January 18, 2008
  • Nelson to Headline Epcot's Flower Power Concert Series
    Matthew and Gunnar Nelson have announced they will headline the 2008 Flower Power Concert series at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park on April 1, 2, and 3. The Nelson brothers are the identical twin sons of Ricky Nelson and the Nelsons' show features a tribute to their late father's music. The brothers achieved some short term success themselves in the early 90's as the pop-metal band Nelson. The concert series is part of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, which runs from March 19 to June 1. Reported via a Nelson press release.
  • Developer to Buy Former SunCal Site Near Disneyland
    Renaissance Development Co. Inc. announced Thursday it plans to build a hotel/retail complex on a site once considered for a condominium complex. Texas-based Renaissance says it has an agreement to buy the 26 acre site from the current owner, Frank Family Partnership. The site is currently occupied primarily by mobile home parks. For its part, SunCal maintains they still have a valid contract to purchase the site, however the Frank Family Partnership says SunCal violated the contract and therefore it is no longer valid. That matter may have to be decided in court. Disney had originally filed suit and initiated a ballot measure to stop SunCal's development. Reported by the OC Register.
  • ABC to Revive 'Bachelorette'
    The Walt Disney Company owned ABC television network has confirmed there will be another edition of The Bachelorette in the future. The show was last seen in 2005. Zap2it.com speculates that the show will return in the summer, along with the already announced return of The Mole.


January 17, 2008
  • Disney Delays Debut of Online Production Unit
    Disney has delayed the formal debut of a new digital production unit called Stage 9. Stage 9's goal is to create original online and mobile series. The first of the shows, Squeegies, was supposed to be released next month but it's not clear now when the show eill be released. Disney is delaying the official debut of the unit to avoid angering the guilds while the writers' strike is still going on. Revenue distribution for online content is a key point of contention in the dispute between the studios and the writers. Reported by PaidContent.org via Yahoo Finance.


January 16, 2008
  • Disney Looking for Chief Magic Officer
    The Walt Disney Company is running a contest to select one person to become the company's Chief Magic Officer. The job is open to anyone 21 or over, and will run from May until the end of the year. The CMO will be responsible for helping to creat magical experiences for Disney park guests. The position requires travel to Disney's domestic parks on some weekdays and weekends. The position includes compensation, though Disney did not say how much. Potential entrants will need to answer some questions in an online aptitude test, as well as submit a 60-second video which explains why they should get the job. A Disney panel will narrow the submissions to ten, then there will be an online voting process. Reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.


January 15, 2008
  • Construction on Potential DVC Units Continues at WDW
    In what the Orlando Sentinel is calling an "exclusive", construction at the former site of the north garden wings at the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World continues. Various sites and message boards have noted the construction in the past, as well as the public documents cited by the Sentinel. Like most others, the Sentinel speculates that the units will likely be Disney Vacation Club rooms, but Disney is hesitant to make the announcement while it is still trying to sell Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas and units at Saratoga Springs. The structure going up at the Contemporary currently stands approximate 5 stories, and is expected to top out at 15 stories.
  • Cast Returning for 'High School Musical 3'
    According to The Hollywood Reporter, all of the principal cast members from The Disney Channel's first two High School Musical films will return for High School Musical 3. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman are returning for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which is set to be released in theaters October 24.


January 5, 2007
  • Disney Bans Young Children from Restaurant
    As reported in the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has banned children under 10 from its Victoria and Albert's restaurant at the Grand Floridian restaurant in Walt Disney World. While certainly this will make some happy, it is at the least an ironic move, as stated by Mike Scopa, co-host of the WDW Podcast and columnist for Mouseplanet.com. He noted that company founder Walt Disney developed his theme parks around his dream to create a place where parents and children could have fun together, without having to split up and pursue separate activities. "Now we find that Disney has come full circle," he said.


January 4, 2008
  • Disney Channel Wins Basic Cable Race in 2007
    The Disney Channel narrowly won the total viewers crown among basic cable networks for the first time in 2007, thanks to such programming as High School Musical 2 and Hannah Montana.  Final primetime numbers released Thursday by Nielsen Media Research put Disney Channel just 15,000 viewers ahead of 2006 champ USA Network (2.69 million vs. 2.68 million).  Disney-owned ESPN finished 4th, behind 3rd place TNT. Reported by Reuters.
  • 2-for-1 Ticket Returns to Disneyland
    Beginning January 7, Southern California residents will once again be able to purchase a "Southern California 2Fer Ticket" that features admission to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure (DCA) parks on two different days for the price of a single day ticket. The ticket has been offered at various times over the last few years as a way to boost attendance at DCA. The ticket is valid between January 7 and April 24, 2008. Info from a Disneyland press release via the Centre Daily Times.
  • Disney Offers Discount to Florida Residents
    During January and February, Floridians can purchase a Play 4 Days Pass for $125 plus tax (the pass costs $105 plus tax for children ages 3-9). Then, for six months from first use, they can visit a Disney theme park on any four days. On each day of use, the guest can choose to visit either Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom or Disney's Hollywood Studios. The special price is available through Feb. 29. Thereafter, the Florida Resident Play 4 Days Pass will be $159. The Disney Play 4 Days Pass is available for purchase by calling 407/WDW-4DAYS (939-4329). Florida Resident tickets are also available at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows and Resort hotel locations, Florida AAA offices and Florida Disney Stores. Proof of Florida residency is required. Info from a Walt Disney World press release.


January 3, 2008
  • Orlando-area Theme Parks Rolling Along
    The Orlando Sentinel reports that theme parks in Orlando are continuing to see huge crowds despite the ongoing issues with the economy. Both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando have had to close parks or parking lots after reaching capacity in the days between Christmas and New Year's.


December 31, 2007
  • 'National Treasure 2' Remains Atop Box Office Heap
    Based on studio estimates, Walt Disney Studios' National Treasure: Book of Secrets took in $35.6 million over the weekend, again landing in the top spot on the domestic box office list. The film has now grossed over $124 million. Disney's Enchanted took in $6.5 million, taking its total to a respectable $110 million.  Reported by Yahoo.com.


December 28, 2007
  • Walt Disney Studios 2008 Preview
    ComingSoon.net has a preview of the Walt Disney Studios release schedule for 2008. Write-ups are available for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Wall*E, and South of the Border, among others.
  • New Shows Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
    Hong Kong Disneyland is planning to add four new shows and launch a discount ticket for transit tourists on a trial basis in 2008, amid news its 2007 attendance plunged. From the descriptions given the shows seem to be clones from other Disney parks. The four new shows are "Muppet Mobile Lab," which features the muppet characters, a show based on the Disney TV movie High School Musical, an interactive show featuring the character Crush from the animated movie Finding Nemo, and a presentation showcasing drawings and art work. The park also said in a statement it will open a previously announced attraction, the classic Disney ride "It's a Small World," this coming spring. Reported by the USA Today.


December 24, 2007
  • 'National Treasure 2' Tops Domestic Box Office
    Walt Disney Pictures' National Treasure: Book of Secrets topped the weekend box office chart, bringing in an estimated $45.5 million in its debut this pre-Christmas weekend. Disney's Enchanted also continues to perform respectably, taking in just over $4 million, brining it's total to over $98 million.


December 21, 2007
  • Disneyland Gets New Monorail Trains
    The Orange County Register reports that Disneyland's first new monorail trains since 1987 were hoisted onto the backstage track on Thursday. The new Mark VII trains are scheduled to go online in February. According to the Register, the biggest change is the look of the train. The first electric cars have blue glass and red stripes that change color in the sunlight. The next two cars will be blue with purple glass and orange with blue glass. Bench seats will face the windows, allowing visitors a full view of the parks, Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel. The capacity and speed will remain the same. Until the February debut, Disney workers will put finishing touches on the construction and test the train after the park closes.


December 19, 2007
  • Man Dies After Riding Expedition Everest
    44-year old Jeffery Reeb died Tuesday after riding Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in Florida. He was unresponsive when the ride ended, but appeared to still be conscious 50 seconds earlier when his photo was taken on the ride. The Orange County medical examiner's office is reporting that the cause of death was a pre-existing heart condition. Reported by the Associated Press.


December 18, 2007
  • New 'Wall*E' Trailer Available
    Comingsoon.net has the new Wall*E trailer available here.  It's at the bottom of the page.  Wall*E is directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) and is the latest Pixar Animation Studios production.  It is scheduled to hit theaters on June 27, 2008.
  • Disney Teams Up with Fathead
    No, that's not a Don Rickles joke. Fathead is a company best known for selling official life-size images of pro athletes, and they are soon going to be producing some Disney-related items. The company is launching a new line of Fathead wall décor featuring Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, and characters from both the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and the Disney Pixar film Cars. Cars characters include Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, Luigi, Guido, Doc Hudson and Ramone, and Pirates of the Caribbean features Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner.  Reported via a press release from Fathead LLC.


December 17, 2007
  • 'Lost' to Air on Thursday Nights
    Beginning January 31, the Walt Disney Company owned ABC television network will air the eight already produced episodes of Lost that it has available. The show will air in the 9pm time slot currently held by Grey's Anatomy. Due to the strike however, Grey's has no first run episodes to offer after January 3, and ABC feels it is important to remain strong in that 9pm slot. Grey's will move to either 8pm on Thursdays or Fridays. ABC is still mulling that one over. Reported by HollywoodReporter.com.


December 15, 2007
  • Disney Gets $200k from Washington D.C.
    As part of a new incentive plan to entice filmmakers to stay in town longer, the D.C. government will pay the Walt Disney Company $200,000 to cover portions of the company's expenses while filming National Treasure: Book of Secrets there. The incentive program was spurred by a trend away from on-location filming. Crews were visiting the city for only days to get their obligatory monument shots before bailing for less expensive locales. Monetary payments under the incentive measure are limited to 10 percent of production-related expenses or 100 percent of the sales taxes paid on those expenses, whichever is less. To qualify, a production company must spend at least $500,000 and remain in town for at least five days.


December 13, 2007
  • WDW Building On-Site Medical Clinic
    Walt Disney World will build a 15,000 square-foot, on-site medical clinic for employees and their dependents, park president Meg Crofton announced this morning. The clinic will provide primary care medical services as well as pharmacy, lab and basic radiology. The clinic will be in a backstage area near Epcot and is expected to open in late 2008 or 2009. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


December 12, 2007
  • 'Walt Disney Treasures' Wave VII Released
    Walt Disney Home Entertainment released the 7th wave of its Walt Disney Treasures series on DVD yesterday. The series includes The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Chronological Donald, Volume 3, and Disneyland: Secrets Stories and Magic. Oswald was Walt's creation prior to Mickey Mouse, and it was the loss of the rights to Oswald that lead Walt to create Mickey. The rights were only recently reacquired by the Walt Disney Company, leading to the release of the series now. Reported by a Walt Disney Company press release via Yahoo Finance.
  • 'High School Musical 2' Released on DVD
    The High School Musical 2 - Extended Edition DVD has hit store shelves and figures to sell quite a few copies this holiday season. The film includes an extra musical scene integrated into the film, and extras include music videos, sing-a-long karaoke features and behind the scenes featurettes. Reported by Local6.com.


December 10, 2007
  • Woman Arrested for Attempting to Take Gun into Magic Kingdom
    A 63-year old Pennsylvania woman is out of jail after posting bail this morning, after being arrested for carrying a gun, a knife and scissors into Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park. Disney security officials found the items during the routine safety checks they conduct as guests enter the turnstile areas. The woman stated she lives alone and carries the gun for protection, but forgot she had it with her. The woman was arrested by Orange County Deputies and charged with carrying a concealed weapon. She was visiting the park with her grandchildren. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


December 9, 2007
  • Three Pop Warner Teams Kicked Out of Walt Disney World
    Due to a fight that occurred between some of the players, three teams participating in the Pop Warner Super Bowl were told by Disney they had to leave Walt Disney World. The teams, including all of the family members traveling with them, were forced to pack-up and leave in the middle of the night Saturday. Two of the teams were from Hawaii, and one was from Baltimore. According to Disney, the policy written for group packages states everyone will be forced to leave even if one member of the party is involved in a violent act on property. Parents, however, complained about the way the situation was handled. "They could have handled it so much better, you know? They really could have. They could have said look you know what? Fine, you guys have to leave in the morning. Then our babies. We have one year old, two year old, three year olds, that we had to just jerk out of bed and they were just crying. You know it was just a bad scene. It was really a bad scene," said Labryanna Kubo, a parent traveling with one of the Hawaii teams. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the incident. Reported by CFNews13.com.


December 8, 2007
  • Developer Trying to Revive Anaheim Housing Project
    The Los Angeles Times reports that less than two weeks after seemingly ending a volatile debate over the city's Resort District, a developer has renewed its push for building what it calls affordable housing near Disneyland, an area many believe should be reserved exclusively for tourism (thought it's important to note that the area in question currently has a mobile home park on it). The Anaheim City Council had originally approved the project, then rescinded its approval when they believed SunCal was abandoning the project. Now, SunCal says that was not their intent and is asking the city to reconsider once again. Well, threatening might be more appropriate. Attorneys for SunCal asked for a rehearing based on the developer's assertion that Anaheim broke state and federal laws by "denying affordable housing to low, very-low and moderate-income families and individuals." "The City Council has effectively discriminated against such persons by limiting their housing options in the city," Robert H. Freilich, SunCal's attorney, wrote to City Atty. Jack White. "Moreover, the discriminatory impact of the City Council's decision will affect racial minorities within the city disproportionately."


December 7, 2007
  • Disney Lands Four Resorts on Top Timeshare List
    RedWeek.com released its list of the top 25 timeshare resorts on Wednesday, and 4 Disney resorts made the list. The list is based on user preferences. All for of Disney entries on the list are Walt Disney World resorts. The Beach Club Villas ranked #2, the Boardwalk Villas #5, Old Key West ranked #8, and the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge placed #9. Absent from the list was the Saratoga Springs resort at Walt Disney World, and the Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island resorts, the only two current Disney Vacation Club properties not located in WDW. Six of the top 25 resorts are located in Hawaii, giving Disney plenty of competition to deal with when its new Hawaiian resort opens in a few years. Reported via a RedWeek.com press release.
  • Monday Night Football Gets 2nd Largest Cable Audience in History
    This week's Monday Night Football telecast on the Walt Disney Company owned ESPN cable network averaged 17.5 viewers, topping the 17.2 million viewers that the Disney Channel's High School Musical 2 averaged last August. The game featured the undefeated New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens and the outcome was in doubt until the final seconds. The only cable telecast to ever average more viewers was the 1993 Ross Perot-Al Gore NAFTA debate on CNN. Reported by Reuters via Yahoo News.
  • 'At World's End' Released on DVD and Blu-ray.
    The third installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, At World's End, is now available on DVD and Blu-ray, having been released on Tuesday. DVDtalk.com has a review of both the movie and the DVD at the story link for this article.


December 6, 2007
  • Disney Acquires iParenting Media
    The Walt Disney Company has purchased another internet website, this time picking up iParenting Media, which operates the iParenting.com website. The site is focused on providing content and creating a community for expectant parents, as well as parents of children ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Reported by Mediaweek.com.
  • Disney Cruise Ship Returning from Caribbean
    For the past four years, the Disney Cruise Line sent one of its ships outside of the Caribbean to other distant ports in the Pacific or Mediterranean. For 2009 however, both ships will be based in Port Canaveral in Florida and will spend the year cruising the Caribbean. Disney cites guest demand as the reason for the change. The Disney Magic will return from the Mediterranean and its new schedule will include four seven-night itineraries, three that visit islands in the eastern part of the Caribbean and one visits the west. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Hong Kong Official Calls HKDL's Performance 'Unsatisfactory'
    Frederick Ma, Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said that Hong Kong Disneyland's attendance had missed its goals for both of its two years of operation. The park is co-owned by the city government and Ma said they would continue pushing for improvements. At 310 acres, the park is Disney's smallest. The Hong Kong government owns a 57% stake in the park, and the Walt Disney Company owns the remaining 43%. Reported by Reuters via Yahoo News.
  • Shanghai Awaiting Central Government Approval for Disneyland Park
    The Associate Press reports that various reports in the Chinese media say that Shanghai is awaiting approval from the Chinese central government for a new Disneyland park to be built there. Reports say the theme park could be built on an island in the Yangtze River. Disney continues to deemphasize the reports. The company has set-up offices in Shanghai and Disney Asia-Pacific spokeswoman Alannah Gross says "China is a priority for the entire company. We have a continuing dialogue about a variety of Disney initiatives, including television, motion pictures and consumer products, of which theme parks are only a part." Reported by the Associated Press via Yahoo News.


December 5, 2007
  • More Spaceship Earth Information Coming Out

    The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Spaceship Earth attraction at Walt Disney World's Epcot park will begin soft openings in mid-December. The ride has been closed since the summer for renovations and updates.  Among the changes:

    • A new narrator, Judi Dench
    • New show scenes, lighting and costumes
    • Interactive features
    • A new score by Bruce Broughton


December 1, 2007
  • ABC Wins November Sweeps
    The Walt Disney Company owned ABC television network has won its third straight November sweeps. The network finished strong this week with the 2-hour finale of Dancing with the Stars and the holiday special Shrek the Halls. ABC finished with a 3.7 rating and 10 share, according to Nielsen, down 8 percent from last year. CBS took second at 3.4/9, also off 8 percent from 2006, while NBC was third at 3.2/9, down 14 percent. Fox was fourth at 3.1/8, up 3 percent from last year, and CW fifth at 1.1, down 27 percent from last year. The news was not all good for ABC, however. Among the most coveted demographic, 18-49's, Fox was the only network to post a gain, and Fox actually won the 18-34 demographic. According to MediaLifeMagazine.com, "Fox now seems headed for its fourth consecutive yearly win among 18-49s, and perhaps its most convincing one to date. With its solid fall performance, the network will not have to climb out of its usually deep fall hole." The magazine goes on to say "In fact, with American Idol expected to draw huge numbers once again when it returns in January, and with Fox airing February’s Super Bowl, the network could well take over No. 1 by February sweeps." Media people say Fox is also in the best shape to withstand the current writers’ strike, because of Idol and a number of stockpiled scripted series, including the upcoming Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, set to premiere at midseason. Fox's strong fall season performance was mainly fueled by stronger ratings for returning shows, including House, which is showing big year-to-year gains for the third straight fall, Bones, The Simpsons and Family Guy. But it also has two new series, Kitchen Nightmares and Back to You, that, while not exactly hits, have shown promising growth.  Reported by MediaLifeMagzine.com.
  • ESPN, Disney Channel Finish 1-2 in November Ratings
    The Walt Disney Company owned ESPN cable network averaged 2.99 million viewers in prime time in November and finished first among all cable networks. The network's four Monday Night Football telecasts were the top four cable programs for the month. The Disney Channel was the 2nd most watched network, averaging 2.78 million viewers. The Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody were the networks top-rated shows. Reported by Mediaweek.com.
  • Guest Dies After Slipping Outside WDW Restaurant
    A man who slipped and fell outside a restaurant at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on Thursday died of his injuries Friday, according to Disney officials. The 72-year-old man, who was at the theme park with his family, was taken to a hospital where he died, spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said. She did not give the man's name. Orange County sheriff's spokesman Carlos Padilla said his agency did not respond to the incident and is not investigating the death. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


November 30, 2007
  • Disney Cast Member Dies After Fall from Ride Platform
    A Walt Disney World Cast Member died Thursday evening after falling last weekend from a platform on the Primeval Whirl ride at Animal Kingdom. The Orange County Sheriff's Office identified the woman as Karen Price, 63. Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said Ms. Price stepped into a restricted area on a platform and was hit by a moving car, causing her to fall and hit her head. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Disney Sells $750 Million in 5-Year Notes
    The Walt Disney Company and retailer Nordstrom Inc. led companies selling at least $35 billion in bonds during the busiest week in more than two months as Treasury yields fell to their lowest point since April 2004. Disney sold $750 million of five-year notes, more than double what it planned. Reported by Bloomberg.com.
  • Disney Raises Dividend
    The Walt Disney Company raised its annual dividend to 35 cents per share from 31 cents per share late Wednesday. Reported by Yahoo Finance.
  • 'High School Musical 3' to Start Filming in Spring
    Director-choreographer Kenny Ortega says production for High School Musical 3 should start in spring 2008. "We've got a script, we're developing the music, and it looks like we've rounded up the cast. We're looking at dates," Ortega told The Daily News. Filming will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah. "I can say, we're sort of returning to East High in the last year of the Wildcats," Ortega divulged about the plot. Ortega, who both directed and choreographed the original film and the first sequel for the Disney Channel, will return for the third movie to be penned again by writer Peter Barsocchini. Reported by Playbill.com.


November 29, 2007
  • Disney to Sell Parcels for Western Way Project
    Walt Disney World's land development company, Buena Vista Land Company, said Tuesday it has begun offering parcels for sale as part of the Western Way project announced earlier this year. The development will be known as Flamingo Crossings and will be a 450 acre lodging and shopping district. It will be located west of the State Road 429 interchange at Western Way, which connects S.R. 429, also known as the Western Beltway, with Disney World's theme parks and hotels. While the land is outside of the official entrance to Walt Disney World, it is still land currently owned by Disney World. The land was originally left undeveloped to ensure there would be a buffer between the entrance to Walt Disney World and outside development. That of course will no longer be the case. Buena Vista spokeswoman Andrea Finger said the development will be built in phases over the next 8 to 10 years and construction could start this winter. The district will aim for "value" hotels and motels. The retail space will target merchants of "practical wares" such as groceries, toiletries and basic clothing. The restaurants will be a mix of fast-food and casual-dining franchises. "Generally speaking, it's your typical shopping center that you see along the interstate," Reedy Creek Administrator Ray Maxwell said. "It's the value end of the market." Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


November 28, 2007
  • City Council Reverses Position on Housing Plan
    Late Tuesday, the Anaheim City Council reversed its decision to allow a condominium complex in the Anaheim Resort tourist area. The council also pulled a referendum on the issue off the June ballot. Councilwoman Lucille Kring was the swing vote, having previously voted in favor of the project. When the deal between the developer, SunCal, and the land owner fell through, Kring said she would reverse her vote, which is exactly what she did on Tuesday. Reported by the OC Register.
  • Disney Deciding Which Oscar Nomination to Pursue for 'Ratatouille'
    The New York Times reports on the dilemma Disney is facing with regard to how it promotes the critically successful animated film Ratatouille this awards season. The company wants to push for a best picture Oscar nomination, but the fear is that this could split votes between best picture and best animated picture and result in Ratatouille being shutout on Oscar night.


November 27, 2007
  • Mickey Mouse to Call Families on Christmas Day
    Per a Walt Disney Company press release, "Walt Disney Parks and Resorts today announced that families in the U.S. and Canada that book between now and Dec. 23 will get a telephone call from Mickey Mouse personally announcing the good news on Christmas Day... This Disney holiday offer will be available to families who book a non-discounted 2008 Walt Disney World vacation online at Disneyworld.com/holidaycall  or by calling Walt Disney World Resort at 407/939-7734 or through a travel agent."
  • 'Bolt' to be Released in Digital 3-D
    Disney Feature Animation's Bolt, previously titled American Dog, will be released in digital 3-D when it opens November 26, 2008. Disney president of domestic distribution Chuck Viane expects there to be between 1,200 and 1,500 potential 3-D screens domestically by the time Bolt is released.  Reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
  • 'At World's End' DVD to Have Plenty of Extras
    SciFi.com has some info on the extras that will be included in the December 4 DVD release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. The extras will include behind-the-scenes documentaries and bloopers. The Blu-ray edition features all those extras remastered in high-definition, plus exclusive extras, including Enter the Maelstrom, an interactive peek at the film's climactic sequence. The basic DVD offers a similar extra called Anatomy of a Scene: The Maelstrom.


November 26, 2007
  • 'Enchanted' Debuts at Number One at Box Office
    Disney's Enchanted, a story about an animated princess who is thrown into the real world of modern day Manhattan, debuted in the top spot in the weekend box office race. The film took in $35.3 million over the weekend, and $50.05 million since its debut on Wednesday. The opening is the 2nd biggest Thanksgiving opening ever, behind only Toy Story 2.


November 24, 2007
  • Nicholas Cage to Star in New Disney Movie
    According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nicholas Cage has signed on to provide one of the lead voices in the upcoming Jerry Bruckheimer movie G-Force. The story follows a group of ultra-intelligent animal commandos who work for a government agency trying to prevent an evil billionaire from taking over the world. Cage will play Speckles, a mole. The film will combine live-action and CGI and is scheduled for a 2009 release. Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan, Bill Nighy and Will Arnett have also signed on.


November 23, 2007
  • Disney Wants Mission:Space Lawsuit Dismissed
    The Walt Disney Company asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit brought by Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC), saying there's no evidence of wrongdoing. The lawsuit concerns the technology behind the Epcot ride. ETC claims Disney disclosed confidential information about the ride and falsely took credit for its development. Disney contracted with ETC in 1998 to design the ride. ETC was unable to complete the project on budget or on time, forcing Disney to take over and negotiate a new deal in November 2001, said Disney attorney Laurence Shiekman. Nothing Disney later sent to about 20 subcontractors had been identified by ETC as confidential, Shiekman said.
  • Walt Disney World Employees to Participate in Diabetes Study
    The University of Florida is teaming up with Walt Disney World to conduct a yearlong diabetes study. The university will conduct the study, and WDW employees will be able to participate on a voluntary basis. The study will include employees who have diabetes and those who are at risk, with up to 1000 total participants. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Hudgens Claims Everyone Will be Back for 'High School Musical 3'
    While nothing official has been announced regarding whether any or all of the cast from the first two High School Musical movies will be signed on for the third, CBS13.com reports that Vanessa Hudgens said that while "only a few people have actually signed the contracts ... We're all definitely on board."


November 21, 2007
  • 'Enchanted' Opens on 3500 Screens
    Disney's Enchanted opens today and is expected to do well over the Thanksgiving Day weekend. The USA Today has a generally positive review, which is linked. The film is about an animated fairytale princess who has a spell cast on her and finds herself in modern day Manhattan. Other characters from the fairytale world follow, and of course, wackiness ensues.
  • Disney Filing Shows Hong Kong Disneyland Loan Details
    The Walt Disney Company has filed its annual 10-K and in it the company says it is waiving its management fees and royalties for 2008 and 2009. Disney also says it expects to further invest in the park. The company also said it expects to distribute approximately 13 feature films in its fiscal 2008 (October1, 2007 through September 30, 2008).


November 18, 2007
  • 'Snow White' Exhibit Opens at Disney's California Adventure
    The Fairest One of All exhibit of rare sketches, drawings, backgrounds and cels from the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opened yesterday in DCA's Disney Animation pavilion and will run until the end of April. Artwork includes concept drawings of a blond, wavy-haired Snow White and a Huntsman who looks more like a troll than a burly man.  Overall the exhibit consists of 120 pieces. Reported by the Orange County Register.
  • Muppets Win Three TV DVD Awards
    The fourth annual TV DVD Awards were given out at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City last Monday, and Jim Henson's Muppets, now owned by the Walt Disney Company, took home three awards.  The second-season DVD of The Muppet Show won for best 1970s series and best children's program, while Fraggle Rock Season 3 won best 1980s series. Reported by Reuters.
  • Shades of Green Provides Military Families with a Chance to Experience Walt Disney World
    The Dallas Morning News documents how the Shades of Green resort at Walt Disney World offers many military families a chance to experience Walt Disney World when they otherwise wouldn't be able to.


November 17, 2007
  • Tim Burton Signs Two Picture Deal with Disney
    Per the Hollywood Reporter, Tim Burton has signed a new two-picture deal with the Walt Disney Company, the studio that launched his career, that will see him helm a pair of 3-D movies--a big-screen version of Lewis Carroll's classic novel, Alice in Wonderland, and a remake of his own famous short, Frankenweenie. Reported by Eonline.com.


November 16, 2007
  • Boxofficemojo Interview with Dick Cook
    Boxofficemojo.com has a lengthy interview with Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook. The interview covers a variety of topics, including the upcoming Jungle Cruise movie, the Disney Treasures DVD series, and the possible DVD release of Song of the South.


November 15, 2007
  • ABC Wins Prime Time Race for Last Week
    Dancing with the Stars continues to perform well for the Walt Disney Company owned ABC television network, helping the network to a ratings win in both total viewers and the important adults 18-49 demographic last week. ABC also benefited from Samantha Who? on Monday, the Country Music Awards on Wednesday, Grey's Anatomy on Thursday, and Desperate Housewives on Sunday. For the week, ABC (11.9 million, 3.8/10) won both ratings and share, followed by CBS (11.9 million, 3.3/9), Fox (8.8 million, 3.5/9), NBC (8.2 million, 3.1/8) the CW (2.9 million, 1.2/3) and MyNetworkTV (960,000, 0.4/1).


November 14, 2007
  • Disney Said to be Reviving Shanghai Park Plan
    ChinaDaily.com reports that Disney's plans to build a second theme park in China, this one near Shanghai, are once again moving forward. Qian Weizhong, director of the economy committee of Nanhui district, said residents had moved off the land targeted for Shanghai Disneyland, in suburban Chuansha town. The planned theme park will occupy 6 sq km, which is about 4.7 times the size of Hong Kong's Disneyland, according to the original plan. Representatives of Disney Tuesday declined to comment on the development, saying only: "Our focus is on the successful operation of our first theme park in China - Hong Kong Disneyland." It should be noted that ChinaDaily.com reported just 5 days earlier that Disney had not decided on a location for a 2nd park in China,
  • Ashley Tisdale Says High School Musical 3 Is a Go
    The Associate Press, via Wistv.com, reports that Ashley Tisdale says she and the other stars of the first two High School Musical movies, including Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, "have their deals pretty much in place." Though, she's not sure if everyone has taken the final step and "signed on." The movie will be filmed in February. The script for High School Musical 3 was ready before the writers strike began.


November 13, 2007
  • Anaheim Housing Debate May Fizzle Out... For Now
    Anaheim Councilwoman Lucille Kring has decided to reverse her prior vote and withdraw her support of a controversial housing project that was to be built across from Disney property. SunCal, the developer that wanted to build the condominium complex where two mobile home parks currently sit, was essentially forced to withdraw from the debate when the current owner of the land backed out of a deal to sell the land to SunCal. SunCal has filed a lawsuit over the matter, but the reality is that the development is dead, or at least comatose, and Councilwoman Kring sees no reason to force the issue to the ballot. The Council's decision to approve the project resulted in Disney sponsoring a ballot intitiative that would take all zoning control within the Anaheim resort district away from the council. SunCal and other local leaders sponsored a counter-initiative that would require Disney to get voter approval for any future zoning changes on its land. Despite Kring's decision, both sides say they will continue to pursue the initiatives. Several other projects that potentially include a housing component are under consideration, so eventually the issue will come to a head. In an interesting move, Mayor Curt Pringle supports the Disney-sponsored initiative, despite the fact that it would take away his government's ability to control zoning changes within the Anaheim resort zone. Reported by the Los Angeles Times.
  • New York Times: Slowing Economy Will Test Disney
    The New York Times has published an article which gives an overview of the challenges the Walt Disney Company is facing in an uncertain economic environment. The article points out that Disney's stock has stalled over the last year, and has not kept pace with the Dow Jones Industrials. It also discusses the differences of opinion that exist with regard to Disney's growth potential.
  • ESPN Hires SF Chronicle Writer who Broke Balco Story
    ESPN is set to hire San Francisco Chronicle reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada, the sports network's latest move to deepen its roster of respected print journalists. ESPN recently hired longtime Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly. Neal Pilson, a sports consultant and former president of CBS Sports, said much is at stake in recruiting from the print world. "Reporters who simply grow up as television reporters don't have the same investigative and reportorial skills that people from newspapers and magazines have," he said. "I think they're reaching out to people that have these skills, and can make television people out of them." "ESPN wants to be known as the main source for sports news and information for the young American male," Pilson said. "That has been their mantra, and [the latest hirings] are consistent with their strategy to be seen as authoritative." Reported by Marketwatch.com.


November 12, 2007
  • New Lighting Transforms Cinderella Castle for the Holidays
    Walt Disney World has decorated Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom with more than 200,000 tiny white lights to transform the castle into "a glimmering, shimmering ice palace at holiday time." The castle lights will be turned on during a special show each evening at 5:45pm beginning tonight, November 12. The show will feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, and other Disney characters. Reported via a Disney press release.
  • Disneyland's 'it's a small world' to Undergo 10-Month Retrofit
    Disneyland has announced it will close the "it's a small world" attraction for 10 months beginning in January. The closure will be to replace the flumes which is necessary because boats occasionally get stuck in several areas inside the attraction. Why the boats become stuck is a matter of contention. Al Lutz at Miceage.com says it's because riders are bigger now than when the ride opened 41 years ago. Disney spokesman Bob Tucker says it's due to the many patches made over the years that have resulted in a buildup of fiberglass. Either way, the replacement of the flumes should fix the problem. Reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
  • 'Ratatouille' Finally Relinquishes Top Spot at Overseas Box Office
    After leading the overseas box office for 5 weeks, Ratatouille, the Disney-Pixar animated film about a rat who longs to become a chef, fell to the 4th spot this past weekend. It took in $8.1 million in receipts, bringing its overseas total to $386.5 million. Coupled with it's domestic take, the film has now grossed $592.2 million, making it the 38th highest grossing film of all time. It also is the 3rd highest grossing Pixar film, behind only Finding Nemo ($864.6) and The Incredibles ($631.4).  Ratatouille was released on DVD in the U.S. last Tuesday.  Reported by Reuters and BoxOfficeMojo.com.


November 11, 2007
  • Third Times a Charm? Disney to Enter Japanese Cell Phone Market
    The Walt Disney Company said it will enter the Japanese mobile phone market early next year using local carrier Softbank Corp's network. Disney has already unsuccessfully launched two services domestically, one under the ESPN brand and the other under the Disney brand. Disney shut down Mobile ESPN last year, and is shutting down Disney Mobile at the end of 2007. Disney is betting on the popularity of its Tokyo resort to help it gain share in the world's biggest market of third-generation phones. Reported by Reuters.


November 10, 2007
  • Disney Sued for Segway Ban in Parks
    Three disabled people have sued Walt Disney World for not allowing them to use their Segways in Walt Disney World (WDW) theme parks. The plaintiffs are each able to stand but cannot walk long distances, and they have not been allowed to use their Segways at WDW, according to the federal court lawsuit. The suit filed Friday says they are among an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 similarly disabled people who have turned to Segways as mobility tools. A group called Disability Rights Advocates for Technology previously asked theme parks to lift bans on the devices. Group co-founder Jerry Karr said Segways offer more mobility and dignity than wheelchairs. Disney says it fears Segways could endanger other guests because they can go faster than 12 mph. "We've made our position very clear on these Segways in our parks," Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak told the Orlando Sentinel on Friday. "Our primary concern is the safety of all our guests and our cast members. We have a long history of being a leader in creating accessible experiences for our guests with disabilities."


November 9, 2007
  • Disney Hits Profit Target, Narrowly Misses on Revenue
    On Thursday afternoon, The Walt Disney Co. reported a 12 percent rise in quarterly profit while revenue just missed Wall Street's target. Net income rose to $877 million, or 44 cents per share, from $782 million, or 36 cents per share, in last year's fiscal fourth quarter. Revenue rose 3 percent to $8.9 billion. Excluding a 2-cent-per-share tax-related benefit, Disney earnings were 42 cents per share, in line with Wall Street's average target. Analysts, on average, had forecast revenue of $9.02 billion, according to Reuters Estimates. The growth was primarily driven by strong results at ESPN and in the Theme Park segments. Parks revenue rose 10 percent to $2.8 billion, while the unit's income rose 9 percent to $430 million. The notable exception being Hong Kong Disneyland, where attendance is deteriorating. Broadcast television posted a $30 million operating loss due to fewer TV shows selling into syndication and the shutdown of the mobile phone service, which was overseen by the division. Media networks revenue rose 14 percent to $4.0 billion, and operating income at the segment rose 25 percent to $1.1 billion. Disney owned ABC, with the top-rated prime-time schedule, may be forced to cut costs and slot in more reality shows, news and reruns if the writers' strike lasts more than a month, Disney CEO Bob Iger said. Disney's movie studio won't be affected by it until 2009, he added. The studio division posted a 24 percent decline in revenue to $1.5 billion in the quarter, and a 21 percent drop to $214 million in operating income, compared with a year ago. Consumer products revenue rose 5 percent to $590 million and its operating profit climbed 10 percent to $139 million on the success of "High School Musical" and "Cars" merchandise. Disney said it plans to boost capital expenditures by $250 million to $300 million in fiscal 2008, with the new money going to digital improvements at its studio and networks, and to improvements at its theme parks, particularly California Adventure in Anaheim. Reported by Reuters.


November 8, 2007
  • Rayovac to be Exclusive Supplier of Batteries to Disney Parks
    Spectrum Brands Inc., maker of Rayovac batteries, said on Thursday it signed a three-year agreement with Walt Disney Co. making it the exclusive supplier of batteries to all Disney parks and giving it the right to use Disney characters in marketing and promotions. Reported by Reuters.
  • Longtime Imagineer Bruce Gordon Passes
    Bruce Gordon, a longtime Disney Imagineer who was involved in the creation of numerous Disney theme park attractions around the world and wrote or co-wrote an array of Disney-related books, has died. He was 56. Gordon died at his home in Glendale on Tuesday, a Disney spokesman said. The cause of death has yet to be determined. Gordon played a key role in the development and creation of many attractions at Disneyland, including Splash Mountain, the 1998 Tomorrowland renovation, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Tarzan's Treehouse. When he left Disney he was the show producer for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. After leaving Walt Disney Imagineering, Gordon served as show producer and creative consultant for the upcoming Walt Disney Family Museum, which will be in San Francisco's Presidio area. He also wrote many Disney related books, including Disneyland: The Nickel Tour, for which he borrowed over $100,000 to get published. He also wrote The Art of Disneyland, Disneyland: Then, Now and Forever, Walt Disney World: Then, Now and Forever, and The Art of Walt Disney World.  Reported by the Los Angeles Times.
  • Euro Disney Reports Revenues Up, Losses Down
    Euro Disney S.C.A., parent company of Euro Disney Associates S.C.A., operator of Disneyland Resort Paris, reports revenues increased 12% for the fiscal year ending September 30. Net losses were reduced by over 50%, to 42 million euros. Attendance increase 1.7 million to 14.5 million for the fiscal year. Reported in a Euro Disney press release.


November 7, 2007
  • Disneyland Offers Free Park Ticket to Firefighers
    Per a Disney press release, "Disneyland Resort officials today expressed appreciation for the heroic efforts of the emergency workers battling the Southern California wildfires and announced a special opportunity to honor their service to the community. "Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute," running Nov. 13, 2007, through Feb. 28, 2008, offers Southern California firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel a chance to enjoy complimentary, three-day "Park Hopper" admission into Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks, plus special admission discounts for their family members and friends."  Specific information can be found here .


November 6, 2007
  • Strong Results Reported for Tokyo Disneyland Resort
    The Oriental Land Company, operator and part owner of the Tokyo Disneyland Resort, reported strong results for the 6-month period ending September 30. Revenues increased 1.6% and attendance increased by an undisclosed amount. Ticket receipts were up 3.5%, though this was in part due to a price increase. The company did forecast a decrease in revenue of 0.7% for the year ending March 31, 2008, and an attendance decrease of 1.6% to 25.4 million guests. The decreases are expected because the period will be following the 5th anniversary celebration for Tokyo DisneySea. Reported by the Japan Corporate News Network.


November 5, 2007
  • Government May Bailout Hong Kong Disneyland After All
    Frederick Ma, secretary for commerce and economic development, said the government is considering investing more cash into the theme park to help it expand, according to the Standard newspaper. In the past, the government has ruled out adding to the 25 billion Hong Kong dollars (3.2 billion US) it has already invested, the report said. Ma did not say how much cash the attraction, which is 57 percent-owned by the government, could receive. He said he recognised that visitors had complained that "Disneyland is small," one of the reasons why it has failed to draw in visitors, the report said. The theme park attracted around 5.2 million visitors in its first year, but reports have suggested it struggled to reach 4.0 million visitors in its second. Disney said earlier this year it may require alternative financing to complete its second-phase expansion.
  • ESPN and Microsoft Team-Up for XBox Live
    ESPN has signed a deal to bring full-length games and TV shows to Xbox Live, the online entertainment network for Microsoft's Xbox 360. Among the offerings available for purchase starting Monday on the Xbox Live Marketplace are days-old, full-length NCAA college football and basketball games, Summer X Games 13 and episodes of such ESPN shows as "World Series of Poker," "The Contender" and "Madden Nation." ESPN's Xbox Live offerings will kick off with a replay of Saturday's USC vs. Oregon State game. Reported by Reuters.


November 4, 2007
  • Walt Disney Records to Release 'Enchanted' Soundtrack on November 20
    According to a press release from Disney, Walt Disney Records will release the soundtrack for the movie Enchanted on November 20, 2007. The recording features songs by Academy Award Winners Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz with original score by Menken. Amy Adams and James Marsden (Princess Giselle and Prince Edward in the film) perform four tracks on the CD. Recording artists Carrie Underwood and Jon McLaughlin each perform a song. The film opens in theaters on November 21.


November 3, 2007
  • Disney Negotiating to Build Theme Park in Malaysia?
    Reuters reports that the Walt Disney Company is looking to build a theme park on a 500-acre site in southern Malaysia. The report originated in the business weekly the "Edge". The Edge cites unnamed sources and says the park would be ready 6 years after an agreement was reached. The proposed Disneyland resort would be bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland, and about the same size as the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. Although the talks with Disney are progressing fast, discussions with other theme park operators, including Warner Bros Entertainment and MGM, have not ceased, the Edge said.
  • Disney, Alamo Renew Partnership
    Alamo Rent A Car said Friday it has renewed its alliance with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts under an extended marketing agreement. The agreement, which runs through 2011, extends Alamo's position as the official rental car supplier for Walt Disney Travel Co. Inc. Reported by BizJournals.com.


November 2, 2007
  • Disney Launches Pirates of the Caribbean Online Game
    Disney Online today announced that Pirates of the Caribbean Online, a "massively multiplayer online game" (MMOG) and virtual world inspired by the film franchise, has launched for the PC and Mac platforms. Players can download the game directly and access additional information at the game’s Web site, PiratesOnline.com. A portion of the game is available for free and players can get unlimited access for a monthly subscription fee. At launch, Disney Online is offering new players subscriptions to Unlimited Access for a first-month fee of $4.95 and continuing with a $9.95 fee for following months. Info from a Disney Press Release.
  • Couple Robbed by Masked Gunmen at Disney's Pleasure Island
    Early Thursday morning, two people sitting on a bench at Disney's Pleasure Island were robbed at gun point. The victim's weren't able to give police a good description because both men were wearing Halloween masks. Orange County deputies said a couple was trying to get some quiet time alone at Pleasure Island when two men came up to them and pointed a gun in their face. The two suspects demanded everything the couple had. The man gave up his wallet and $25. Deputies found the empty wallet in another part of Pleasure Island. Reported by WFTV.com.


November 1, 2007
  • ABC Orders Full Season of 'Samantha Who?'
    The Walt Disney Company owned ABC television network has ordered an additional 9 episodes of the TV comedy Samantha Who?, starring Christina Applegate. That brings the total ordered to 22 episodes. The move followed a solid third airing for the show on Monday night, when the comedy scored 14.2 million viewers, up 500,000 from the previous week.


October 31, 2007
  • Disney and Hanesbrands Sign Marketing Deal
    The Walt Disney Company has signed a 10-year marketing deal with Hanesbrands, Inc. All basic apparel sold by Disney at its parks and resorts, and at the company's ESPN Zone restaurants, will now be from the Hanes and Champion lines. Under the agreement, basic apparel includes T-shirts and tanks and fleece sweat shirts, sweat pants, hoodies and other garments, including infant and toddler items. The deal also allows Hanesbrands to co-label much of the clothing, as in "Disneyland Resort by Hanes." Hanes also will become the sponsor of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, one of the main attractions at the Disney-MGM Studios park in Florida. Champion will also have naming rights for the stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida, and the deal includes promotions at the ESPN Zone restaurants throughout the country. Reported by the Associate Press.
  • Housing Development Near Disney Could Fall Apart
    SunCal, the developer that won Anaheim city council approval to build a 1500 unit condominium complex on a plot of land near Disneyland, is suing the current owner of that plot for backing out of a contract to sell the plot to SunCal. Disney vehemently opposes the development and has sponsored a ballet initiative that could take zoning decison out of the council's hands. The owner of the plot claims SunCal has violated terms of the contract, and of course SunCal disagrees. If the deal cannot be salvaged, the battle that has been brewing for months may end without the showdown many expected. The plot currently houses an RV park and sits across the street from some undeveloped land owned by Disney. The suit by SunCal contends that the owner of the plot in question conspired with unnamed third parties to kill the deal. Reported by the Los Angeles Times.


October 30, 2007
  • Professional Golf Tour Ends Season at Walt Disney World
    The Professional Golf Association (PGA) makes its final tour stop of the year this week at Walt Disney World in Florida. The event has a new sponsor this year and is going by the Children's Miracle Network Classic. Funai was the previous sponsor, and before that it was National Car Rental. The event runs this Thursday through Sunday. Reported by The Golf Channel.
  • Handy Manny Getting Bigger Role at Disney-MGM Studios
    The Handy Manny character of the Handy Manny animated show on The Disney Channel will be making more frequent appearances in the Disney-MGM Studios park in Florida beginning November 18. The character will also appear in the updated Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage! show at the same park. That show is scheduled to open in early 2008, when the park will have been renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Bleu Says Still in Negotiations with Disney for High School Musical 3
    Corbin Bleu, one of the stars of Disney's High School Musical films says he is still in negotiations with the company for a third movie. He also says he doesn't know if any of his co-stars have signed on yet. Reported by DaventryToday.


October 29, 2007
  • WDW Announces Celebrity Lineup for Candlelight Processional at Epcot
    Walt Disney World has announced the complete celebrity lineup for the Candlelight Processional, which runs from November 23 through December 30. The Processional includes a musical performance featuring a mass choir and a full orchestra accompanied by a celebrity narrator who retells the story of Christmas. Celebrities include David Robinson, John O'Hurley, and Rita Moreno. Reported by FloridaToday.com.
  • Retail Complex Move Forward Near Disney's Planned Hawaiian Resort
    A retail, restaurant and office complex is moving forward after being delayed when Disney purchased land across the street. The complex has several signed leases from retailers and restaurateurs, but the complex will not cater only to resort guests. Reported by the Pacific Business News.


October 28, 2007
  • Disney's Formula for Making a Star
    Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President of original programming for the Disney Channel, talks about what Disney looks for when they try to cast the next Lizzy McGuire or Hannah Montana. Reported by the Contra Costa Times.


October 27, 2007
  • Disney Cruise Line 3rd with Conde Nast Readers
    The November issue of Conde Nast Traveler contains the results of its Readers' Choice Survey, and the Disney Cruise Line was voted 3rd in the "Large Ship Cruise Line" category, behind Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas. Reported via a Conde Nast press release.


October 26, 2007


October 25, 2007
  • Disney to Donate $2 Million to SoCal Wildfire Relief
    The Walt Disney Company has pledged $2 million to help victims of the Southern California wildfires. Part of the money will also be earmarked for the rebuilding of parks and community centers. Disney also planned to distribute packages of toys and books for children who have been displaced by the fire and said it would send Disney characters to shelters this week to cheer up youngsters. Reported by the Fresno Bee.
  • 30,000 Sq. Ft. T-Rex Restaurant Under Construction at WDW
    The T-Rex Restaurant is being built at the Downtown Disney complex in Florida and will have two life-size dinosaurs outside, and over 35 dinosaurs inside. The restaurant will be owned and operated by Steven Schussler and Landry's Restaurants, the folks who brought you the Rainforest Cafe. The restaurant is expected to open next fall. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • ABC Orders Six Additional 'Samantha Who?
    In a move that appears to indicate the Disney owned ABC television network is strongly considering picking up a full season of "Samantha Who?", the network has ordered six more scripts of the new show. "Samantha Who?" stars Christina Applegate as a women who has amnesia. The show is the highest rated new comedy this season. It currently airs on Mondays at 9:30pm and drew 13.7 million viewers last week. Reported by Reuters via Yahoo News.


October 24, 2007
  • ESPN Tops Cable Ratings for the Week
    ESPN narrowly beat out The Disney Channel for the top spot in the cable ratings last week. ESPN had an average of 2.94 total viewers in prime time, while The Disney channel averaged 2.93 million viewers. Reported by Mediaweek.com.


October 23, 2007