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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
  • Universal Creative Executive Leaves for Disney
    The Vice President of Universal's Creative Studios, Scott Trowbridge, has left the company to join Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI). He will report to WDI Chief Creative Exectutive Bruce Vaughn. Trowbridge's title with Disney will be Vice President for Creative Research and Development. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


October 22, 2007
  • 'Ratatouille' Tops Overseas Box Office for Third Straight Week
    The Disney-Pixar animated film Ratatouille has finally opened in all foreign markets and has now lead the overseas box office list for three weeks. The film ranked first in 13 markets this week, grossing $27.7 million. The overseas tally now stands at $308 million, and overall the film has grossed more than $510 million when the domestic total is included. Reported by Reuters.


October 20, 2007
  • Rick Reilly to Leave Sports Illustrated for ESPN
    The New York Times reports that longtime Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly is leaving the magazine to join ESPN after his SI contract expires on November 30th. ESPN has not disclosed what Reilly will be doing for the network.


October 19, 2007
  • ABC In 2nd Place for the Week
    It's a slow Disney news day, but we did want to note that the Walt Disney Company owned ABC television network took 2nd place in the Nielsen ratings last week. CBS took 1st with a 7.9 rating and 13 share. ABC had a 7.2/12. NBC was a distant 3rd at 5.2/9, barely beating out Fox at 4.9/8. ABC's ratings were boosted by Dancing with the Stars, which placed both its competition and results shows in the top 15, at 1st and 7th respectively. Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives also made the top 15. 10 of the other top 15 shows came from CBS, and one from Fox (House). Reported by Contactmusic.com.


October 18, 2007
  • Disney's Press Release for DCA Makeover
    Disney issued a press release regarding the announced $1.1 billion investment they intend to make in the Disney's California Adventure theme park. The press release includes descriptions of the planned attractions and themeing changes, as well as some concept artwork.
  • Associated Press Article on DCA Makeover
    This Associated Press article talks about the DCA makeover, and also gives an overview of the troubled history of the park.
  • Hudgens and Disney Still in Negotiations for High School Musical 3
    Both a spokesperson for Vanessa Hudgens and a spokesperson for Disney have told Access Hollywood that Disney has not dumped the singer/actress from its plans for High School Musical 3. They say reports in OK! magazine that Disney had already decided to dump Hudgens are untrue. "We are still in negotiations with all of the High School Musical stars," the Disney spokesperson said.


October 17, 2007
  • DCA to Get $1.1 Billion Makeover During Next 5 Years
    The Wall Street Journal is reporting that The Walt Disney Company is set to announce they will invest $1.1 billion in their Disney's California Adventure theme park over the next five years. The sum is more than Disney spent to build DCA originally just 6 years ago. The park has never met attendance projections. Last year was still over 1 million turnstile clicks below the original projections, despite heavy ticket discounting and Disney already having spent over $100 million in improvements since the park opened in 2001. Many areas will be re-themed to look like 1920's Hollywood. The park will feature a replica of the Carthay Circle theatre, where the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs debuted in 1937. The park also will be expanded by around 12 acres and will bulk up its attractions, with a heavy emphasis on animated movies created by Pixar, including Cars and Toy Story. Carsland will re-create the fictional town of Radiator Springs from the 2006 Pixar movie Cars, say people familiar with the plans. The centerpiece will be a cutting-edge attraction in the style of Disneyland's popular Indiana Jones ride. There will reportedly be a "flagship" ride based on the 1989 animated movie The Little Mermaid and another on the 1995 feature Toy Story, (this is most likely the already announced Toy Story Mania attraction currently under construction) the people say. The Mulholland Madness ride, which re-creates a careening drive along the famous Los Angeles street Mulholland Drive, will be re-themed to feature Disney characters. Others, like the Maliboomer drop ride, are likely to be axed. It is not clear if the name of the park will be changed.


October 16, 2007
  • Website Claims Disney Censored 'God' From Radio Ad
    Worldnetdaily.com, a website that promotes Christianity, reports that a Radio Disney sales associate informed Promenade Productions they would need to remove the phrase "Chosen by God" from its ad for the upcoming animated release The Ten Commandments. The producer, Frank Yablans, former head of Paramount Studios, complied, rather than risk not having the ad aired at all. The CGI animated film is set to be released Friday, October 19.


October 15, 2007
  • ESPN to Launch Third HD Channel in March
    Walt Disney Company owned ESPN will launch ESPNNews HD on March 30. The format will be used to display additional graphics and information, as well as provide "graphic sponsorship placement opportunities for advertisers". That last part should have any sports fan on the edge of their seat in anticipation. Reported by TVWeek.com.


October 14, 2007
  • Disabled Advocates Pushing Disney and SeaWorld to Allow Segways
    An organization called Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT) is leading the charge to convince Disney and SeaWorld to allow disabled guests to use Segways in their theme parks. The group claims that for certain people who have trouble walking but not standing, Segways are a more dignified and practical solution than a wheelchair. Disney and SeaWorld counter that the safety concerns in crowded parks with sometimes narrow, winding pathways outweigh the advantages. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


October 13, 2007
  • Miceage.com Says DCA Announcement Coming Wednesday
    Miceage.com is reporting that the rumored $1 billion+ investment Disney has decided to make in Disney's California Adventure is set to be announced on Wednesday via a press announcement and the release of some Walt Disney Imagineering artwork. Miceage has previously reported a large number of DCA projects are coming, including a Little Mermaid dark ride, a Ratatouille roller coaster, Carsland, a reworking and expansion of the DCA entrance area, the replacement of the Maliboomer with a parachute drop ride, re-themeing of the Paradise Pier area, a massive nighttime lagoon water/light show, a remodeling of the Hyperion Theatre so it can be used for outside events, and more. In the most recent update however, it was reported that a few of these projects have already been shelved, including the Ratatouille coaster and the parachute ride. Wednesday should be an interesting day for Disney enthusiasts!
  • Disney to Launch a Line of Fruits and Vegetables
    Disney's Consumer Products division announced it would launch a line of products called Disney Garden, and Disney characters would be used to promote the line. New items include Mickey-shaped snack trays with combinations of celery, peanut butter and raisins or apples, cheese and crackers and others. Other items include teriyaki sugar snap peas, honey orange carrot coins, cheesy broccoli bites and miniature apples, peaches, pears, plums and oranges. Reported by CNNMoney.com.
  • WDW Part-Timers Get a Pay Boost
    The Sun-Sentinel reports that part-time Walt Disney World cast members will now receive the same pay scales as full-time cast members, the result of a new labor contract that was recently negotiated. The agreement took effect September 30 and runs through September 2, 2010.
  • JC Penney is Recalling 49k Winnie the Pooh Play Sets
    The Disney Deluxe Winnie the Pooh play sets are being recalled because of excessive amounts of lead paint. The Chinese made toy consists of 23 pieces including a baby doll, blanket, playpen, and stroller. The items were sold across the country for two years, starting August 2005. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking parents to please take the play sets away from children and return them to the store for a full refund.
  • Operator of Disney Stores Puts Itself Up for Sale?
    Fortune Magazine reports that The Children's Place (TCP) is considering putting itself up for sale. The company's stock has declined sharply in recent weeks due to a string of bad news, including the company reporting a decline in same-store sales at both its own branded stores and the Disney branded stores. Deloitte & Touche, the company's auditor, threatened to withhold approval of the company's financial statements unless TCP CEO Ezra Dabah stepped down. He did last month, but Deloitte & Touche has still decided not to stand for re-election as the company's auditor. TCP says they are in negotiations with another nationally recognized accounting firm. In order to resolve a dispute with Disney, TCP over the summer agreed to invest $175 million to remodel 234 Disney Stores over the next 5 years, which means the company will likely lose money on the deal over that time. But exiting the agreement is costly. Margaret Whitfield, an analyst with Sterne, Agee & Leach, estimates that Children's Place would be on the hook for $93 million in minimum royalty, breach of contract and other fees plus "hundreds of millions of dollars" to unwind store leases. Should Children's Place change hands, Disney would have a say in approving the new owners.


October 12, 2007
  • ESPN Nabs First Two Days of The Masters
    The first two rounds of the Masters are moving to ESPN. The Walt Disney Company owned network will televise the Thursday and Friday rounds beginning with this April's tournament, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne announced Wednesday. The first two rounds had been shown on the USA Network for the last 26 years. ESPN has televised the Masters internationally since 1993. The schedule of coverage will remain the same. The first two rounds will be televised live from 4-7 p.m. EDT each day, with a replay aired from 8-11 p.m. Mike Tirico will host the ESPN telecasts. The 2008 Masters will be April 10-13.
  • Disney-backed Zoning Measure Clears a Hurdle
    A Disney-backed ballot initiative that would essentially strip the Anaheim City Council of the authority to make any land-use decision in the city's Resort District was certified Wednesday by the Orange County registrar of voters. While a necessary step, this was not unexpected. A measure that would give voters control over a 53-acre parcel owned by Disney is also going through the process to get on the ballot. Reported by the Los Angeles Times.


October 11, 2007
  • Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Goes Down for Refurbishment Today
    Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom park in Walt Disney World is going down today for a refurbishment. The popular attraction is scheduled to reopen October 25. Spaceship Earth in Epcot remains closed for its refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen November 14. Info from the offical Walt Disney World website.


October 10, 2007
  • Grandaughter of Ub Iwerks Makes Pixar Documentary
    Reuters reportst that Leslie Iwerks has made a documentary about Pixar, going back to the beginning, before it was even Pixar, and tracing its path to today. She had complete access to the studios' archives and personnel. The film is titled The Pixar Story and is premiering at the Mill Valley Film Festival. After that, a theatrical release is possible, and a DVD release appears certain. The film chronicles Pixar's history, showing that while the company eventually achieved tremendous success, it took a lot of hard work, vision and risk to make it so. Sounds like a must-have to me.


October 9, 2007
  • 'John Carter on Mars' Pre-Production Continuing at Pixar
    ERBzine.com, a site dedicated to the work of Edgar Rice Burroughs, reports that several members of the Pixar creative team working on the John Carter on Mars films paid a visit to the ERB offices to exploer the Edgar Rice Burroughs archives. The film is scheduled for a 2012 release. Comingsoon.net summarizes the film as follows: "The film begins with a Civil War veteran whose retreat into a cave to avoid capture by Apache Indians takes an otherworldly turn as he's transported via time portal to the planet of Barsoom and taken prisoner by 12-foot-tall green men. Burroughs wrote 11 volumes of Carter's adventures and Disney is hoping the film will launch a franchise."
  • Children's Place Reports Drop in Sales at Disney Stores
    Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. on Tuesday said its overall same-store sales dropped 3 percent for the five weeks ended October 6. This included a 6 percent drop at Disney stores, which Children's Place owns and operates through an agreement with the Walt Disney Company.
  • Florda's Theme Parks Doing Well Despite Economic Uncertainty
    The Tampa Tribune reports that business at all of Florida's theme parks seems to be holding up very well in the face of uncertain economic times. The report cites U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, as well as comments from theme park executives, as evidence that the outlook is positive.


October 8, 2007
  • Disney's 'Game Plan' Stays on Top of Weekend Box Office
    Disney's comedy Game Plan was the top film at the domestic box office this weekend, dropping only 29% from its totals last weekend and bringing in and estimated $16.3 million. It's ten day total now stands at $42.8 million. Reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
  • 'Ratatouille' Back in the Spotlight as it Racks Up International Box Office Win
    Yes, we've got Ratatouille box office news again. The film opened in Germany over the weekend, and that, along with it's still strong performance in several other overseas markets, gave it the international box office win for the weekend, according The Hollywood Reporter. Ratatouille took in an estimated $19.7 million over the weekend in overseas markets. That brings its overall international take to $247 million. Coupled with its domestic gross of $203 million, Ratatouille has now hit the $450 million mark overall, only $11 million behind the last Disney*Pixar release, Cars. And Ratatouille isn't finished quite yet. Besides continuing to run in 30 overseas markets, it is scheduled to open in the United Kingdom on Friday, Italy on October 17, and in China, Sweden, Poland and Finland on October 19. Looks like a film about a rat in the kitchen can do all right after all!


October 7, 2007
  • Food and Wine Festival Tips
    The Miami Herald notes the arrival of several new participants in the Epcot Food and Wine Festival at the Walt Disney World Resort. Peru, the Dominican Republic and... Oklahoma. Yes, the 46th state to join the union is celebrating its centennial and has a kiosk at the festival, serving seared buffalo with scalloped wild onions among other dishes. The article also offers some tips for guests, including being patient when you encounter long lines. Also, strike up conversations with cast members working at the festival. More can be found at the link.
  • More Info on Toy Recall
    The Orlando Sentinel provides more detail on the latest toy recall reported here a few days ago. Besides the Baby Einstein blocks, coin-shaped Pirates of the Caribbean flashlights are also included. Other non-Disney toys are included in the recall, and more info can be found in linked article. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also has specific details on its website here .


October 6, 2007
  • Disney Can't Sell DVC in Hawaii.... Yet
    Due to a decision Disney made long ago not to fully register for timeshare sales in Hawaii, Hawaiian residents cannot currently purchase Disney Vacation Club (DVC) memberships unless they fly to the mainland to do it. Disney is not even allowed to send the residents promotional material, such as its informational DVD. Hawaii and Nebraska are the only two states where Disney is not currently allowed to sell DVC memberships. Not to worry though. Lisa Haines, vice president of public affairs for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, say Disney will "complete the requirements in plenty of time for Hawaii residents to take advantage of this offer." Reported by the Honolulu Star*Bulletin.
  • Disney Growth to Come From Different Places
    The Sun-Sentinel reports that while Walt Disney World still has thousands of undeveloped acres, and the Disneyland Resort has enough room for a third theme park, most of that land is likely to remain undeveloped for quite some time. On Wednesday Disney announced it was building a new resort hotel in Hawaii, and this seems to just be the beginning. The article includes comments from Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Disney's Parks and Resorts division, that indicate capital spending in Orlando will be limited in the future. Disney will attempt to achieve growth in the area primarily through marketing and promotion. While this is obviously a concern for Central Florida residents who are counting on the growth of their economy, the article points out it is fortunate that they have begun to diversify as well.
  • S&P Raises Ratings on Walt Disney Co.
    Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Friday it raised the investment-grade corporate credit rating of Walt Disney Co. to "A" from "A-" in part on improved earnings and reinvigorated franchises. Reported by the Associated Press.


October 5, 2007
  • A Local Perspective on Disney's Hawaiian Resort
    KHNL.com spoke with some locals about the news that Disney was going to build a new resort hotel in their part of the island. The response was generally positive, though there was some skepticism expressed about the pay for the jobs that will be created.
  • Wall Street Journal Weighs in on Disney's Hawaiian Resort
    Not much new in this, but the WSJ does note that the new resort does pose a few challenges for the company, such as not cannibalizing the current theme parks. They also note that Disney has not always succeeded at branching out in the past, citing DisneyQuest as an example. The article does note, however, that more recent efforts like the Disney Cruise Line have had greater success.
  • Disney Recalls Baby Einstein Blocks Due to Lead
    The Dallas Morning News reports that the Walt Disney Co. recalled about 35,000 Baby Einstein toy blocks made in China because they are contaminated with lead paint. Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks contain blue paint with excessive lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today in a statement. Disney said last month it was testing 65,000 toys featuring its characters. Those tests didn't include Baby Einstein products, said Nidia Tatalovich, a Disney consumer products spokeswoman. "Moving forward all Baby Einstein products will be part of our voluntary safety compliance process," Tatalovich said in an interview. "We are in complete cooperation" with the recall. I don't yet see any specifics on the recall on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website, but here is the link so you can check going forward: USCPSC Website .
  • Disney Cruise Line to Begin Offering Airline Check-in Service
    The Disney Cruise Line announced that it will begin offering an on-board airline check-in service for passengers who are departing their ships. The service will be modeled after the airline check-in service already offered at Walt Disney World resorts as part of Disney's Magical Express. Guests already had the option of having their luggage shipped ahead to the ships from Orlando International Airport (MCO) when arriving, but until now the departing service was not available. Disney has been testing the new program and expects it to be fully operational by the end of the year. Seven of the nine airlines that participate in Disney's Magical Express will be participating in the Cruise Line service, with the exceptions being JetBlue and US Air, both of which hope to join within the next few months. Southwest, the largest carrier at MCO does not participate in either service, but intends to begin doing so early in 2008. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • ESPN and MLB Reach Agreement for Onsite Set Locations During Playoffs
    Walt Disney Company owned ESPN and Major League Baseball reached an agreement that will allow the network to place its sets onsite during playoff games, while it will mention the other stations that are airing contests. With Disney-owned ESPN no longer showing playoff games under baseball's newest TV contract, all the contests are on Fox, TBS or TNT. Reported by the Associated Press.


October 4, 2007
  • Disney's Hawaiian Resort Won't Include a Heavy Dose of Characters
    Disney's new resort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu will emphasize family-centered vacations while respecting Hawaii's culture, said Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo. "It will give our guests another way to visit a place that they've loved for many years," Rasulo said. "As the crossroads of Asia, it is your diverse culture that makes this place so special." Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2011. The resort's designs and amenities won't be finalized until early 2008, but Rasulo said it will include many educational and cultural activities, including local entertainers and hula dancers. "When our families go home, they will know much more about Hawaii," Rasulo said. "To call it a hotel would be a vast understatement of what we're trying to achieve." Reported by the Associated Press.
  • New Disney Resort a Big Catch for Ko Olina Resort Area
    After the initial description that is included in other articles, this Honolulu Star*Bulletin Article goes on to talk a little more about the area where the resort will be built, Ko Olina. Ko Olina developer Jeff Stone has struggled to turn Ko Olina into a first-class resort destination. The company returned a $75 million tax credit to the state last year after plans for an aquarium fell through. The company had also been in negotiations with the Four Seasons, Trump Entertainment and Ritz-Carlton chains, but none of those talks came to fruition. While the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa, the largest resort on Oahu's Leeward side, has brought needed jobs to the region, the arrival of Disney is expected to create the critical mass that was previously lacking at Ko Olina.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland in Danger of Losing Funding
    Hong Kong Disneyland is unlikely to receive more money from the local government to fund new attractions because of disappointing attendance at the theme park since it opened two years ago, a local newspaper reported Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the park, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co. and the Hong Kong government, said it is still discussing financing options with the government. Hong Kong Disneyland has been under scrutiny because it is a major government investment. The Hong Kong government owns a 57 percent stake in the park, shouldering most of the US$3.5 billion (euro2.5 billion) construction cost. The park drew 5.2 million guests in its first year -- 400,000 short of its target of 5.6 million. Park officials have been secretive about second-year numbers, but local media reports estimated up to 4.8 million visited the park its second year. Disney's earnings results showed Hong Kong Disneyland's operating income dropped in both the first and second quarters this year, curtailing overall growth for its park and resorts division. Reported by the Associated Press.


NEWSFLASH (10/3/07) -- Disney Announces Standalone Resort on Oahu
  • Disney Announces Standalone Resort on Oahu - Includes DVC
    As rumored in several articles posted here over the last few days, Disney has announced they will build a mixed-use luxury family resort on the west coast of Oahu, in the Ko Olina Resort area. The resort is scheduled to open in 2011 with more than 800 units, including hotel rooms and villas for the Disney Vacation Club. Disney expects to unveil plans by early 2008. Reported by Reuters.


October 3, 2007
  • Disney Channel Tops Prime Time Cable Ratings in 3rd Quarter
    Due to the success of the movie High School Musical 2, and TV shows Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, the Disney Channel set a cable channel ratings record for the 3rd quarter. It was the 2nd largest prime time cable audience for any quarter ever behind fellow Disney network, ESPN. For the first time, the Disney Channel bested top-rated rival Nickelodeon among kids ages 6 to 11 in both prime and total day ratings. Reported by Reuters.
  • Disney Online Sweeps Web Awards
    The Walt Disney Company issued a press release saying in part: "Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group and home to Disney.com, the No. 1 family destination on the Internet, has received numerous WebAwards recognizing its suite of Web sites and premium online entertainment products. Disney.com XD, the highly interactive broadband centerpiece of the new Disney.com, received the coveted "Best of Show" award, beating out more than 2,400 other entries for the top honor. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and overall use of technology."


October 2, 2007
  • More Reports of Possible Disney Resort in Hawaii
    KITV in Honolulu is reporting sources have told them Disney could announce as soon as this week that it is looking to build a resort on Oahu. The report sites the same location as a Honolulu Star-Bulletin report yesterday, Ko Olina. Ko Olina is on the west coast of Oahu, about 30-40 minutes from Waikiki. Marriott currently operates a significant vacation club property in the area. The report says Disney is looking to build its own hotel, as opposed to taking over an established property.
  • 'Walt Disney's The Jungle Book - 40th Anniversary Edition' Available on DVD
    Today Disney releases The Jungle Book on DVD for a limited time. The Jungle Book was the last animated feature that Walt Disney had direct input into. It's definitely one of the classics. The 2-disc set includes a restored version of the film and a solid list of bonus features, including games and deleted songs.
  • Disney Gallery Being Converted to Suite
    Disneyland in August shut down its Disney Gallery – a suite of rooms above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride – to refurbish them as a posh guest apartment to house prizewinning park-goers overnight. The suite, when it's finished in December, will begin hosting more than 200 winning families throughout 2008. Park-goers will be selected at random to spend the night in the suite. Walt Disney originally commissioned the rooms as an apartment for him and his family to entertain guests and oversee the park. Walt died before the apartment was finished, however, and it ended up as offices for Disneyland contractors, and then for Disney employees. In 1987, it became the Disney Gallery, housing rotating exhibits of paintings, drawings and sculpture produced in the creation of various Disney movies and park attractions. Disney staffers say they're still figuring out another place in the park they can use to display that artwork. Reported by the OC Register.
  • 'Ratatouille' Sparks Pet Rat Craze in France
    "Since the film came out, there is no question there is a real fashion for rats," said Gerald Moreau, 25, who runs a group near Paris promoting the long-tailed rodents as domestic animals. Children are driving the craze -- seeking out soft-coated rats with floppy "Dumbo" ears like Remy, the hero of the Pixar comedy -- pushing parents to seek out tips on choosing and caring for a rat. Reported by the AFP via Yahoo news.
  • Disney extends 'Year of Million Dreams'
    Not much new here, as the Year of a Million Dreams extension was announced weeks ago, but there is a little more info on some new offerings, including a night in a suite located in Disneyland's New Orleans Square. The suite will be located at the site of the former Disney Gallery. Reported by the Associated Press.


October 1, 2007
  • Disney in Theme Park Talks with Malaysia, Website Reports
    The Straits Times reports that Disney is holding talks with Malyasia's investment arm Khazanah Nasional about developing a theme park in southern Johor state facing Singapore, a business paper reported on Sunday. The Edge, a business weekly, said Walt Disney officials met officials from Khazanah last week on developing a park in the Iskandar Development Region.
  • 'Game Plan' Leads the Way at Weekend Box Office
    Disney's "The Game Plan," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, opened as the top weekend movie with $22.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Johnson stars as a football quarterback whose bachelor lifestyle is disrupted by the arrival of a daughter he never knew he had. Reported by the Associate Press via CNN.com.
  • 25 Things You Should Know About Epcot
    The Orlando Sentinel lists 25 things they think you should know about Epcot.


September 30, 2007
  • Disney Close to Singing Deal for Hotel In Hawaii?
    The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports that Disney representatives have told them that Hawaii is on the list of locations Disney is considering for a standalone hotel. "We've got nothing to announce today, but clearly Hawaii as well as other geographies are attractive markets for us as we look for ways to grow our business," said Disney spokeswoman Lisa Haines. The article also reports that a local broker who asked not to be identified said Disney is close to signing a deal with the Ko Olina Resort & Marina. The Ko Olina Resort is located on the west coast of Oahu, about a 30-40 minute drive from Waikiki.
  • Epcot Evolves as 25th Birthday Nears
    The Sun-Sentinel has an article that discusses Epcot's creation and how it has evolved in recent years. While the article reaches some highly suspect conclusions about the reasons for the changes at Epcot, it does offer some good high level information into what Epcot was designed to be.


September 29, 2007
  • Epcot Food & Wine Festival Begins
    The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began Friday at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park. The 12th annual festival features seminars, tastings, culinary demonstrations and food samples from countries such as Chile, China, Peru and Turkey. Reported by The Orlando Sentinel.
  • USA Today Interviews Author of 'Realityland'
    In his new book, Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World, author David Koenig offers what he claims is the first in-depth, unauthorized look at the sometimes-troubled making of Walt Disney World. The USA Today has an interview with him. A quote: "Disney has always enjoyed making money, but (in earlier days) its approach was long-term. (It aimed to) provide exceptional products at reasonable prices, creating customers for life. Visitors genuinely liked the company and told all their friends. Today the approach is short-term — separate as much money from customers as possible."
  • 'High School Musical 2: School's Out!' debuts at Disney-MGM Studios
    High School Musical 2: School's Out! has replaced the High School Musical Pep Rally at Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios in Florida. The show still works its way up Hollywood Blvd and stops in front of the giant Scorcerer's Hat for a 20-minute show. The new version features five songs from High School Musical 2, and one song from the original. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


September 28, 2007
  • Disney to Drop Mobile Phone Service at Year-End
    Disney said on Thursday it would stop operating its U.S.-based mobile phone service at the end of the year. Current customers will continue to be supported until December 31. Disney Internet Group President Steve Wadsworth said in a statement the company found the business to be "a difficult proposition in the hyper-competitive U.S. mobile phone market." Reported by Reuters.


September 27, 2007
  • Keira Knightley 'Can't Imagine' Doing Another 'Pirates'-like Blockbuster
    In an article on Moldova.org, when asked about the possibility of doing another blockbuster, Keira said "I can't imagine ever doing another one. I had five months off from Pirates during the summer last year, when I made Silk and Atonement, and it was so great - I want to be able to explore emotions in smaller projects." But she left the door open with this: "That's not to say I won't suddenly read a big Hollywood blockbuster and go 'oooh, that might be good...' But I haven't yet."
  • Anaheim City Council Blesses Ballot Initiative
    The Anaheim City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night to ask staff to start paperwork for a ballot initiative that would give voters say on whether Disney can build a theme park or other project on company-owned property. This measure is sponsered by developer SunCal and is in response to a Disney-backed measure that would overturn the City Council's approval of a Sun Cal condominium development across from undeveloped Disney land. Reported by the OC Register.
  • Disney Signs Deal with KB Home
    Disney and home-builder KB Home have signed a licensing deal that will allow KB to offer home design features based on many of Disney's most popular characters. KB Home will begin offering the Disney Home features early next year. Customers can choose from flooring, lighting, wall coverings and other products featuring Disney characters. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Reported by the Associated Press.


September 26, 2007
  • California Court Sides with Disney in Pooh Case
    A California appeals court on Tuesday declined to reinstate a long-running case against the Walt Disney Co over royalties it paid for its popular Winnie the Pooh character. In 2004, a Los Angeles trial court dismissed the case brought by the estate of Stephen Slesinger, the literary agent who helped popularize Winnie the Pooh in the United States, on the grounds that the Slesingers' legal team illegally obtained documents by trespassing on Disney property. Slesinger's widow and daughter sued Disney in 1991, claiming the media company had underreported Pooh sales and owed the estate billions of dollars in royalties. A spokesman for Slesinger's daughter, Pati, said she will appeal the latest decision to the state Supreme Court, and will proceed with a federal lawsuit seeking $2 billion in damages and to strip Disney of its rights to the Pooh character. Reported by Reuters.
  • Disney Lawsuit Against City of Anaheim Delayed Until July
    A judge ruled Monday to delay action until next summer on the Walt Disney Co.’s legal challenges to the city of Anaheim’s approval of residential zoning near its theme parks. Judge Stephen Sundvold of Orange County Superior Court froze two lawsuits until July 1 – after voters decide on a ballot measure about whether to keep the zoning. The referendum could make the issue moot. Anaheim attorneys saw the ruling as a victory, while Disney attorneys did not view it as a defeat, or at least that's what their public statement indicated. Details in the article. Reported by the OC Register.
  • Yet Another Ballot Initiative Could Be Put Before Anaheim Voters
    Yet another angle to the Disney vs. City of Anaheim debacle. The City Council was set to discuss yesterday whether a ballot initiative that would require voter approval for any development in the Anaheim Resort zone, including Disney's development, would be put before voters. The initiative would join a Disney-sponsored inititiave that challenges the Council's approval of a SunCal condominium development within the resort zone, across from currently undeveloped Disney property. We'll provide a report on what the Council decided as soon as we get one. Reported by the OC Register.


September 25, 2007
  • DVDTalk.com Reviews 'The Jungle Book'
    DVDTalk has a review of the 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition release of the Disney animated classic The Jungle Book. The DVD will be available Tuesday, October 2. The review is positive and praises both the sound and visual quality, as well as the bonus features.
  • 'HIgh School Musical 2' Breaks Records in Australia
    Disney's High School Musical 2 has broken broadcasting records in Australia, airing to the highest number of viewers ever for a movie on pay TV there. It was also the highest rated kids program to ever air there. Reported by Reuters.
  • Disney Cuts Deal to Make Shows Available in Finland
    Walt Disney's international television arm said on Monday it would let viewers of Finnish commercial broadcaster Nelonen pay to watch hit shows on the Internet four days after their U.S. release. Reported by Reuters.


September 24, 2007
  • Disney Tolerant of Internet Parodies....So Far
    Several videos have been posted to You Tube that depict Disney animated characters rapping along with the song Crank That (Soulja Boy) by the rapper Soulja Boy. The characters include Bambi, Simba and Winnie the Pooh, and the videos were created by editing together snippets of animated movies and TV shows. This appears to be a gray area in copyright law at this point, and the usually aggressive Disney lawyers are yet to act. Reported by the New York Times.


September 23, 2007


September 22, 2007
  • Tirico Takes Over 1 to 3 p.m. Slot on ESPN Radio
    ESPN has finally named the replacements for Dan Patrick, who left ESPN Radio in August. On Thursday, Mike Tirico began hosting a self-titled show from 1 to 3 p.m., and Stephen A. Smith will host the network's 3 to 4 p.m. hour, starting Monday. Reported by the Grand Rapids Press.
  • UK vs. UofL set record for ESPN Classic
    The University of Kentucky football team's victory over the University of Louisville last Saturday was the highest-rated program in ESPN Classic's history. The final rating for the game was a .78, and according to the Nielsen ratings Web site, that equates to about 859,560 households. The rating does not include the ratings for viewers of WHAS in Louisville or WKYT in Lexington. Reported by the Louisville Courier-Journal.
  • More Detail on 'Narnia 3' Delay
    Yahoo Movies has a little more detail about the delay of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the third installment of the Narnia series. The delay was originally reported here on Wednesday. The film was pushed back from a May 2009 release to 2010. The second installment, Prince Caspian, is scheduled to be released on May 16, 2008.


September 21, 2007
  • Halloween Events Begin Today at Disneyland Resort
    Disney's HalloweenTime, the second-annual season that brings special events and decorations to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, starts Friday and continues through October 31. Both parks are decorated for the Halloween season, and Disney's California Adventure also hosts special costume parties with activities and treats at night starting October 4. Separate tickets are needed. Some nights have already sold out. For information or tickets, visit www.disneyland.com/halloween . Reported by the OC Register.
  • RBC Analyst Initiates Coverage of Disney with 'Outperform'
    A RBC Capital Markets analyst on Thursday began coverage of Walt Disney Co. with an "Outperform" rating, saying the strength of the company's brand, content and assets point to sustained growth in the coming years. David Bank, in a client note released late Wednesday, began coverage on Walt Disney with a $39 target price. Disney stock closed at $34.04 yesterday, down $0.52. Reported by the Associated Press.
  • 'Nemo' Hits the Ice
    The Chicago Sun-Times has an article dicussing some of the challenges that show designers faced when bringing Finding Nemo to Disney on Ice, which is currently touring the country. Ticket and performance information can be found at Disneyonice.com.


September 20, 2007
  • Walt Disney World Donates $10 Million to Florida Children's Hospital
    Florida Children's Hospital, along with Walt Disney World officials, announced Wednesday that it was receiving a $10 million dollar gift from Walt Disney World. "This contribution is part of our ongoing commitment to making dreams come true for the children of Central Florida," Meg Crofton, Disney World's president, said in announcing the $10 million contribution. Florida Children's Hospital will become the first hospital to bear the Disney name, though exactly what that name will be has not been determined. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


September 19, 2007
  • Grand Californian Disney Vacation Club Officially Announced
    Disney officially announced their plans to expand the Grand Californian Hotel, adding both standard hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club units. The 2.5-acre expansion on the hotel's south side will add more than 200 new hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas. Other elements planned for the project include a rooftop deck for viewing fireworks, a new swimming pool and about 300 underground parking spaces.
  • Iger Criticizes Studios Who Have Dropped Blu-ray Format
    Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger criticized studios Tuesday that dropped support for the Blu-ray high-definition DVD format. Iger said he was disappointed that the industry had not backed one format and predicted that a victory by Blu-ray over rival HD DVD was a "foregone conclusion." Disney backs Blu-ray exclusively along with Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Viacom's Paramount Pictures, which also owns DreamWorks SKG, recently dropped its support for Blu-ray and said it would start distributing films exclusively in the HD DVD format. Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric, also releases films only in HD DVD. Warner Bros., owned by Time Warner Inc., releases in both formats.
  • 'Narnia 3' Release Date Pushed Back
    Comingsoon.net reports that Disney has pushed back the release date for the third installment of the Narnia franchise from May 1, 2009 to May 7, 2010. The title of the film is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Taking it's place on May 1, 2009 is the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced live-action/CGI family feature G-Force, which follows a group of intelligent animal commandos working for a government agency trying to prevent an evil billionaire from taking over the world.  Yes, that's really what it says.
  • Iger Says Disney Can Surive an Econmic Downturn
    At an investors conference, Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company was well-diversified, which served as a buffer to economic uncertainty. The company plans to continue diversifying its revenue stream in 2008 through its various segments such as parks and recreation, consumer products and media. In media, the company will continue to expand content distribution across platforms such as video-on-demand, iTunes and the ABC.com Web site. Reported by Broadcastingcable.com.
  • Iger Announces Carland to be Built at Disney's California Adventure
    Laughingplace.com reports that Bog Iger announced that Carland would be built at Disney's California Adventure. No further details are in the article, so it maybe that there had not been any intent to make the announcement at that time.


September 18, 2007
  • Disney CFO Says Bookings Not Reflecting Economic Downturn
    Disney's chief financial officer, Thomas Staggs, told investors that the Disney parks had not seen any decrease in bookings resulting from an economic downturn. "I'm not saying the parks are immune to the economy," Staggs said. "But thus far, we're not seeing any impact in the numbers." The company will likely increase capital spending to beef up its lagging second park in California, Staggs said. Disney's California Adventure opened in 2001 next door to Disneyland and has been a disappointment to the company, which has steadily added attractions to the park. Disney is not likely to open any new parks in the United States in the foreseeable future, Staggs said. Reported by the Associated Press.
  • Disney Channel Smells What the Rock's Been Cookin'
    Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will guest star on The Disney Channel's Cory in the House and Hannah Montana on Friday. His appearance in the so-called "Rock Block" precedes the Sept. 28 opening of his Disney film, The Game Plan. Reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  • Geoffrey Rush Comments on Possibility of 'Pirates 4'
    Comingsoon.net interviewed Geoffrey Rush, who played Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, and asked him for his thoughts on he and Johnny Depp returning for a fourth Pirates movie. "I think people will let it sit for awhile," Rush said. "There could be a point…that it may pop up."


September 17, 2007
  • Rock Music Website Calls for Boycott of Disney
    The website Antimusic.com is calling for a boycott of Disney due to what it claims is Disney censorship. The site claims that five metal shows scheduled at Disneyland Resort's and Walt Disney World's House of Blues venues have been relocated or outright canceled at Disney's request.


Septermber 16, 2007
  • Autopia Attraction Closed at Hong Kong Disneyland
    Hong Kong Disneyland closed its Autopia simulated driving ride after one of its vehicles derailed from a fixed track Saturday, a spokeswoman said. Park spokeswoman Glendy Chu said the accident occurred when the vehicle, with a young woman in it, hit one of the barricades surrounding the track. The woman was unhurt, Chu said. Reported by the Associated Press.
  • 'The Lion King' Goes Hawaiian
    The Honolulu Star Bulletin has an interesting article about the logisitics of moving a touring show like The Lion King from the mainland to Honolulu, where it will run for the next three months.
  • Disney.com Continuing to Add Games
    The Oregonian discusses the changes Disney has made to its website in recent months, such as adding more games, videos, social networking areas, and even live concert feeds. Last week, AdWeek Media named Disney.com the fifth-hottest site on the Web, behind Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and TMZ.com. Nielsen/NetRatings, meanwhile, announced the site attracted a record 23 million visitors in August, up 24 percent from a year ago.
  • Scientists Working in Land Pavilion Attempt to Alter Pear Trees on Molecular Level
    More detail on the story reported yesterday, this time from the Orlando Sentinel. Scientists are working in the Land Pavilion for both Disney and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an attempt to gentically engineer pear trees that will be more productive.


September 15, 2007
  • Walt Disney World Researchers 'Pearing' Up with Dept. of Agriculture
    Researchers at the Land Pavilion in Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an experiment aimed at redesigning the pear tree on a molecular level. The goal is to create a new rootstock that would stunt the trees' growth, making them shorter and easier to grow and harvest. That would make the trees more productive and more profitable. Reported by the Associated Press via WFTV.com.


September 14, 2007
  • Haunted Mansion Reopens
    The Haunted Mansion reopened on schedule yesterday at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. WDWMagic.com  has some exterior pictures and a ride through video. Most of the changes were recently reported in The Mouse Column  and it sounds like the Imagineers did a good job with this one.


September 13, 2007
  • 'High School Musical 2' Soundtrack Tops Charts for 4th Consecutive Week
    The soundtrack to Disney Channel's High School Musical 2 has hit its fourth consecutive week atop "The Billboard 200," Top Kid Audio and Top Soundtracks charts. Reported by Playbill.com.
  • 'Toy Story Mania' Targeting Summer '08 Debut
    The Orange County Register has an overview of the Toy Story Mania attraction that is currently under construction in Disney's California Adventure park in Anaheim, as well as at the Disney MGM Studios park in Orlando.
  • Disney.com Has Record Month
    Disney's website had 23.03 million unique visitors in August, which eclipsed its previous record set sometime last year. The site was overhauled in February of this year. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel, and no, this site hasn't quite reached those kinds of numbers yet...


September 12, 2007
  • Disney imagineer and Mickey Mouse Watch Designer Dies
    Ralph Kent, who designed the first adult Mickey Mouse watch in the 1960s and went on to be a design leader and instructor for Walt Disney Imagineering at Walt Disney World, has died in Kissimmee at age 68. Kent spent 41 years as a designer and teacher at the Walt Disney Co., and was named to the company's "Disney Legends" hall of fame in 2004, the year he retired. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Turns Two as Sruggles Continue
    Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated its second anniversary Wednesday amid disappointing attendance and reported labor problems. The park, which opened on Sept. 12, 2005, drew 5.2 million guests in its first year, 400,000 short of its target of 5.6 million. Park officials haven't announced second-year numbers, but The Walt Disney Co. revealed disappointing earnings results for Hong Kong Disneyland in its quarterly reports this year. Separately, the South China Morning Post reported Wednesday that a survey conducted by the Hong Kong Disneyland Cast Members' Union of 470 Hong Kong Disneyland workers said 63 percent were unhappy with management. Reported by the Associated Press.
  • Disney Violates Chinese Labor Laws, Says Report
    Workers at a Haowei Toys factory in China are overworked, underpaid, exposed to dangerous toxins and forced to live in filthy conditions, a labor rights group said in a report Wednesday. The factory makes Disney toys. Disney admitted its own investigation had revealed violations at the Haowei factory, adding that action would be taken to rectify the problem. "Disney is currently working on a factory remediation plan with the licensee who has placed orders with this factory," it said in a statement. Reported by Yahoo News Malaysia.
  • Disney Exec Accepts Position at HP
    Hewlett-Packard Co. on Tuesday named Walt Disney Co. executive Michael Mendenhall senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Mendenhall has been with Walt Disney for 17 years, most recently as director of marketing and publicity activity for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. There his areas of responsibility included global brand image, marketing strategy, planning, publicity, advertising, media, new media/online, interactive TV, strategic alliance marketing, special events and promotions, and customer managed activities.


September 11, 2007
  • Kosinski to Direct 'Tron'
    Commercials veteran Joseph Kosinski is in final negotiations to develop and direct Tron, described as "the next chapter" of Disney's 1982 cult classic of the same name. Reported by Reuters.


September 10, 2007
  • Disney to Start Testing Toys
    The Walt Disney Company will start its own testing of toys featuring Disney characters following recalls of Mattel Inc. toys found to have unsafe levels of lead paint, according to the New York Times. In a similar move, Toys 'R' Us has hired engineers to randomly test toys on its shelves.
  • 'Ratatouille' Pushes Past $400 Million Mark Worldwide
    Ratatouille continued its strong overseas box office performance by placing second for the weekend with $8.5 million in receipts. That, combined with its domestic take brings its total box office to approximately $403 million. The Disney-Pixar animated film still has not opened in several overseas markets, including Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom. It was #1 in France for the sixth week in a row. Reported by Reuters.


September 9, 2007
  • Disney Rediscovers Tinker Bell’s allure
    LJWorld.com has an article which discusses Disney's attempts to cash-in on the rediscovered popularity of Tinker Bell.
  • Three Disney Hotels Added to Florida Green Lodging Program
    The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has added Walt Disney World's Contemporary, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides the hospitality industry with technical assistance and encourages it to adopt green practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Reported by hdmag.com.


September 8, 2007
  • Disney Backs `High School Musical' Star
    The Walt Disney Co. is sticking with the 18-year-old star of its wildly successful High School Musical franchise, despite her "lapse in judgment" in posing for racy photos that were leaked to the Internet. Vanessa Hudgens, who played the brainy Gabriella in the first two made-for-cable High School Musical movies, told her fans she was sorry. "I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos," she said. "I am thankful for the support of my family and friends." "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment," said Disney Channel spokeswoman Patti McTeague. "We hope she's learned a valuable lesson." She said negotiations were ongoing to land all the actors for a High School Musical 3 feature film — including Hudgens. Reported by the AP.
  • Disney Channel's 'High School Musical 2' Will Debut Dance-Along Version Tonight
    The stars of the popular "High School Musical 2" will host a special Dance-Along telecast on the Disney Channel Sept. 8. Fans can print out instructions and practice the choreography via DisneyChannel.com for the Dance-Along premiere, which plays at 8 PM. (All times ET. Check local listings.) Reported by Playbill.com.
  • Haunted Mansion Set to Reopen September 13th
    The Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World has been closed since June 6 while Imagineers update the 36-year-old ride and add new shots, audio and visual effects. It is tentatively set to reopen on September 13th. The Rock n' Roller Coaster at Disney's MGM studios will shut down for about a month starting September 4 for some routine maintenance and some minor changes. It is slated to reopen on October 4. Reported by cfnews13.com.


September 7, 2007
  • Disney to Create Online Trip Planning Forum
    Disney has launched a campaign to find 12 moms who will form and online panel which will give advice to those seeking information about planning a trip to Walt Disney World. Reported by CBS4.com.


September 6, 2007
  • Sports Contracts Squeeze Profit as Disney Shares Stall
    Bloomberg.com speculates that ESPN, the cable television network that has driven profit growth at Walt Disney Co. much of this decade, may produce smaller gains in coming years, crimping the stock price of the second-largest media company. Ten of Disney's 12 biggest institutional shareholders have reduced their stakes, filings from June show.
  • Orlando Theme Parks Win Awards
    Orlando-area theme parks earned high honors from Amusement Today, an amusement industry trade paper, that annually presents its Golden Ticket Awards in a range of categories. Walt Disney World Resort won two awards: Best Indoor Roller Coaster for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney-MGM Studios; and Best Outdoor Night Show Production for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. Reported by FloridaToday.com.
  • Format War Heats Up
    Paramount made a surprise announcement last week, saying that it was dropping Blu-ray and would release its films exclusively on HD DVD. This puts the question of which format will ultimately prevail even more in doubt than it already was. Blu-Ray currently has approximately a 2:1 advantage in disc sales, and a 5:1 advantage in player sales (largely due to the PS3 being a Blue-ray player). Disney currently supports only Blu-ray.


September 5, 2007
  • 'Ratatouille' Climbs over $200 million at the Box Office
    Including the $1,675,027 it earned over Labor Day weekend, the Disney*Pixar film Ratatouille has surpassed the $200 million mark in American box office. Including the weekend's take, Ratatouille now has grossed $201,249,485 domestically, and another $172,349,000 internationally, for a total of over $373 milion. The film continues to do well overseas and in fact has not yet even opened in several major markets, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Numbers from Boxofficemojo.com.
  • Parking Rate at Walt Disney World Goes to $11 a car
    Walt Disney World Resort has raised the price of parking at its theme parks, from $10 to $11 per car. The increase took effect during the Labor Day weekend. Reported by Floridatoday.com.
  • Shuttle Crew to be Honored at Walt Disney World
    According to a NASA news release dated Sept. 4, 2007, the seven space shuttle Endeavour astronauts who returned to Earth Aug. 21 will be honored in a day of ceremonies at Walt Disney World on Sept. 10. Official ceremonies will be held both in Epcot and in the Magic Kingdom. A full schedule of events can be found in the full release at the above link.


September 4, 2007
  • 'Adventures by Disney' to Expand
    Adventures by Disney, the Walt Disney Company's 2-year-old and rapidly expanding package-vacation program, will add eight more locations next year, including trips to Peru, China, Australia -- and Southern California, the company announced last week. The same article also says September 13 is the tentative re-opening date for the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion.


September 3, 2007
  • ESPN Set to Debut 'E:60' Primetime Newsmagazine
    ESPN has named its new primetime newsmagazine, set to debut Oct. 16, E:60, officials said Friday. The show, which will air at 7 p.m., is ESPN’s first primetime multi-themed news magazine show. Jeremy Schaap, Lisa Salters, Tom Farrey, Rachel Nichols and Michael Smith – will serve as E:60’s primary reporters and hosts. Additional guest reporters and commentators will appear periodically. Following its debut, three additional one-hour episodes will be aired on consecutive Tuesdays. The series will return for five weeks in April 2008 and six weeks in June 2008, for 15 one-hour original episodes a year. Reported by multichannel.com.


September 2, 2007
  • US Airways Joins Magical Express Resort Check-in Lineup
    Beginning Wednesday, Walt Disney World resort guests who fly US Airways and utilize Disney's Magical Express shuttle service will be able to check their bags in at their resort prior to departing. With this addition, eight of the top nine carriers at Orlando International Airport will be participants (this refers only to the airline check-in process at WDW resorts when guests depart. All guests can utilize Magical Express's other services regardless of airline). However, Southwest Airlines, which is #1 on that list, is the one that still does not participate. The companies continue to talk and hope to have an agreement by next year. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Traveling Muppet Exhibition Opens in Little Rock, Arkansas
    Jim Henson's Fantastic World includes drawings, doodles, puppets and storyboards that show the creative process of Jim Henson, in an exhibit that opens its nationwide tour Friday at the Arkansas Arts Center and will travel through 2011. The exhibition features 100 pieces, many of which have never before been displayed. The pieces are on loan from the Henson family, the Jim Henson Co., The Muppets Studio and Sesame Workshop, along with the Jim Henson Legacy and Smithsonian. Reported by Fox16.com.


September 1, 2007
  • Revised O Canada! film makes its debut at Epcot Saturday
    The long-awaited, updated version of the O Canada! Circle-Vision film at Walt Disney World's Epcot will debut Saturday. The new version of the film, offered as an attraction in the Canada Pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase, features Martin Short as narrator and recent Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. Disney officials said the new version balances a look at Canada's cosmopolitan, urban flavor with the spectacle of the Canadian landscape. The attraction will officially be dedicated in October. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Disney, Children's Place Amend Contract
    The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc (PLCE.NAS) Friday announced that it has amended its licensing agreement with Walt Disney Co. The agreement reduces the number of stores the company is contracted to remodel and refresh in 2007 and 2008, while adding two more stores to be remodelled through 2011. The company also received a waiver for the cross default under the secured credit facility for the Disney Stores. Children's Place has had to delay filing reports for 2Q06 and 3Q06 due to these issues. Reported by newratings.com.


August 31, 2007
  • Disney Half Marathon in Anaheim for Labor Day
    In its second year, Disneyland Half Marathon events are expected to draw about 18,000 people, who will learn about fitness, join family events and run in the half-marathon race this weekend. It's the 8th largest half-marathon in the country. Reported by the OC Register.
  • ESPN Establishing Studios in Los Angeles
    ESPN is in the process of establishing studios in downtown Los Angeles. "We'll be in business there by the first quarter '09," said George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN. Bodenheimer said the new L.A. studios will be on the second floor of a high-end entertainment hub that will include an ESPN Zone restaurant. The California studio spaces will be in the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Reported by the Bristol Press.


August 30, 2007
  • Honda's Newest ASIMO Robot Runs onto Disneyland Stage
    A press release from Honda stated that beginning today, Wednesday, August 29, Disneyland park guests can experience the latest version of ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) at the Honda ASIMO Theater inside the Innoventions attraction. Reported by Yahoo Finance.


August 29, 2007
  • Haunted Mansion Description from WED Circa 1969
    Doombuggies.com has a scan of a 4 page description of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion from WED public relations manager Frank Allnut, written in 1969.
  • The Rock to Star in 'Witch Mountain' Remake?
    Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is in talks to star in Witch Mountain, Disney's remake of their 1975 movie Escape to Witch Mountain. Reported by the Hollywood Reporter.
  • Underground Video Game Takes Aim at Disney
    Los Disneys, a violent underground video game that depicts Walt Disney World as the capital of a futuristic evil empire, is back. The game had a brief run as a free Internet download in the mid-1990s before being relegated to hacker history. Now, Los Disneys' creator has decided to update and redistribute the game, again for free. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


August 28, 2007


August 27, 2007
  • Disney Channel on a Roll
    Last week, The Disney Channel placed nine shows in the top 10 of the most popular shows on basic cable, as tracked by Nielsen. Reported by the New York Post.
  • Martin Short to Star in new Canada Pavilion Film at Epcot
    Martin Short will be the host of a new Canada film set to debut in early September in that country's pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot park in Florida. The current film has been running since 1982. Short said the new film will definitely give people a more realistic view of Canada. "It's more of a comedic look . . . it's, shall we say, a lighthearted examination of Canada," Short said. "It's little vignettes and things, and I narrate it as well." Reported by the Toronto Star.
  • Muppet Mobile Lab in Epcot
    The Muppet Mobile Lab is performing in Walt Disney World's Epcot park. The Lab features Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his able assistant, Beaker riding their two-wheeled rocket-ship/laboratory vehicle along Epcot's sidewalks, teasing or talking with visitors, gesturing and moving, and putting on their best Muppet shtick. The Lab is being tested by Disney's Imagineers and has previously appeared at Disney's California Adventure park in Anaheim. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


August 26, 2007
  • 'Disney Adventures' Magazine Folding
    Disney Publishing Worldwide will fold its Disney Adventures with the November issue to focus on new magazine and book efforts, a company spokesperson said. The title had a mostly subscriber-based circulation of 1.2 million, per its most recent BPA audit of December 2006. Reported by Mediaweek.com.


August 25, 2007
  • Disney Being Sued Over 'Hannah Montana' Show
    The Los Angeles comedy writer-producer who penned Fox's "In Living Color" and created Nickelodeon's "Roundhouse" has sued the Walt Disney Co., claiming it stole the idea for its hit Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana," from him. Reported by Reuters via CNNMoney.com.
  • Disney's Lobbyists Win Visa Victory
    Earlier this month, President Bush signed into law a broad measure that paves the way for more international travelers to enter the United States without visas, including many South Americans. Disney last year joined top travel companies in a coalition called the Discover America Partnership. The group was central in promoting the visa change, at one point hiring as a consultant Tom Ridge, former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Children's Place Misses Disney Deadlines
    The Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. said Thursday it missed several deadlines to remodel and refresh numerous stores in the Disney Store chain and expects to miss more deadlines. Until an amended agreement is signed, Children's Place said it will be in breach of the June letter agreement, which allows Disney to demand remedies or cancel the license deal altogether. Reported by the Associated Press.


August 22, 2007
  • Disney Music Group Has Three Records in Top Ten
    According to a Disney Music Group press release, Disney has three albums in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart. The High School Musical 2 soundtrack debuted at #1 selling over 615,000 copies. Hannah Montana 2 / Meet Miley Cyrus is at #2, and the self-titled Jonas Brothers album is at #8.


August 19, 2007
  • 'High School Musical 2' Sets Ratings Record
    The Friday night premiere of the Disney Channel movie High School Musical 2 has set ratings records, delivering the largest single audience in basic-cable television history, according to preliminary ratings reports provided by Disney.  In early overnight estimates, the debut was watched by 17.2 million viewers nationwide. Reported by the New York Times.


August 18, 2007


August 17, 2007
  • University Rebuffs Disney on 'Baby Einstein Demand
    The Walt Disney Co. said Thursday evening that it still wants the University of Washington to retract "an inflammatory and misleading" news release concerning "Baby Einstein" and other baby DVDs - a demand that was categorically rejected earlier Thursday by the school's president. Reported by the Denver Post.
  • 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Finding Nemo' Coming to Blue-ray
    Disney has announced that next year it's releasing several major film titles on Blu-ray including Sleeping Beauty. Calling it a "Blu ray Title Wave," Disney says it will release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, and The Witch and The Wardrobe in spring 2008, followed by National Treasure in the summer of 2008. Then in the fall of 2008, it will launch Blu-ray editions of Finding Nemo and Sleeping Beauty.


August 16, 2007
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Struggles to Draw 4 Million Guests in Year 2?
    Earthtimes.org is reporting that Hong Kong Disneyand will struggle to draw 4 million guests in its second year of operation, which ends in early September. This is well behind Disney's target of 5.7 million guests in year 2. Visitors claim the park is too small and lacks sufficient attractions and rides to occupy visitors for a whole day, the article says.
  • Disney and Universal Tailor Attractions Abroad
    An article in the Orlando Sentinel describes some of the challenges facing theme park operators when they contemplate exporting an attraction to another country and culture.


August 15, 2007


August 14, 2007
  • Measure to Control Disney Zoning is Nearer to Ballot
    A proposed initiative that would give Anaheim voters zoning control over Disney's planned third theme park appears to be gaining momentum. Bob Hernandez became the second Anaheim City Council member to publicly support the initiative, which needs three votes to be placed on the ballot without collecting voter signatures. The biggest impact of the measure would be that Disney would need voter approval if it wanted to build a third theme park on 53 acres it currently owns since that land is currently zoned for agriculture and parking. Reported by the LA Times.
  • Disney Demands Retraction from University of Washington
    The University of Washington and the Walt Disney Co. are at odds over a recent UW announcement that questioned the value of exposing infants and toddlers to DVDs and videos such as Disney's "Baby Einstein" series. Reported by bizjournals.com.


August 13, 2007


August 12, 2007
  • New Disney Stamps to be Released this Week
    Next week, the U.S. Postal Service unveils four new Art of Disney Magic stamps. This is the fourth year in a row Disney has been honored with new stamps. This year's set features Mickey Mouse, Dumbo, Peter Pan and Aladdin. The new 41-cent stamps will be unveiled at an official dedication ceremony next Thursday at Walt Disney World Resort.


August 10, 2007


August 9, 2007
  • Keys to Keeping Costs of a WDW Trip Down
    MSNBC.COM has an article with some suggestions for keeping your ticket costs down when you visit Walt Disney World in Florida.
  • ESPN/ABC Announce 2007-8 College Football Schedule
    ESPN and ABC have announced their college football schedules for this season. Coverage on ESPN will kick off on August 30 with one game each on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN360.com and ESPNU, and a total of 25 games will be carried on ABC and other assorted media platforms Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30-Sept 3).


August 8, 2007
  • Disney Extends 'Year of a Million Dreams' Promotion
    Walt Disney Parks and Resorts plans to extend its Year of a Million Dreams promotion through the end of 2008, according to information sent to annual passholders.  Reported by Bizjournals.com.
  • Disney, Developer Reportedly Break-off Negotiations
    Talks between a developer and Disney apparently have broken off without a resolution to a dispute over a housing proposal in the Anaheim Resort area. Disney officials announced late Monday that they failed to reach a settlement with SunCal, the developer that wants to build 1,500 homes across from Disney property. SunCal's representatives could not be reached for comment late Monday. Reported by the OC Register.
  • Rudin completes 'Dangerous' deal with Disney
    Producer Scott Rudin has acquired the rights to Conn and Hal Iggulden's best-selling tongue-in-cheek manual "The Dangerous Book for Boys" and will produce the adaptation for Walt Disney Pictures. The brothers' book offers today's coddled youth instructions in potentially hazardous activities; how-to's include building go-carts and making a bow and arrow. It also provides trivia, historical anecdotes and advice on life. Reported by Reuters.


August 6, 2007


August 5, 2007


August 4, 2007
  • Walt Disney World Admission Prices Increasing
    Disney announced on Friday that it was raising single day admission to its four Florida theme parks to $71 from the current $67. Price increases of 3 percent to 6 percent were tacked onto most of Disney's "Magic Your Way" tickets and annual passes. The prices go into affect Sunday, August 5. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


August 3, 2007


August 2, 2007
  • Disney's Revenue and Profits Rise, Acquires Club Penguin
    The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) delivered higher third-quarter profits on strong performance from its TV networks and theme parks, and acquired the online virtual world Club Penguin, expanding its presence in Web entertainment, the company said Wednesday. Disney reported net income for the three months ended June 30 of $1.178 billion, or 57 cents a share, compared to $1.125 billion, or 53 cents a share, in the same period last year. Revenue climbed to $9.045 billion from $8.474 billion in the year-ago period. Reported by the USA Today.
  • Disney Channel Tops in July
    Disney Channel capped a three-week ratings sweep with a big win in July, beating all basic cable networks in prime time last month with an average 2.99 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. However, ESPN, another Disney-owned channel, fell 20% from last year to 1.17 million viewers. Reported by Mediaweek.com.


July 31, 2007
  • 'High School Musical 2' Soundtrack to be Released August 14
    Walt Disney Records will release the High School Musical 2 soundtrack on August 14. The album will include 10 tracks from the upcoming movie as well as a bonus track. A full description can be found in the linked article Disney press release.
  • Time for Happily Ever After - Disney's First Broadway Musical Close
    After a 13-year run, the first Disney musical to arrive on Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, played its final performance July 29. The closure will allow the latest Disney offering, The Little Mermaid, to make its home at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre this fall. Reported by Playbill.com.
  • Jim Henson Foundation Donating Over 500 Puppets
    The puppets and other items such as props, sketches, etc, will be donated to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. They will be exhibited in a planned Jim Henson Wing. Reported by the New York Times.


July 30, 2007
  • Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort to Host 'High School Musical 2' Premiere
    California's Disneyland Resort will host the world premiere of Disney Channel's High School Musical 2 Aug. 14. Stars of the movie, along with director-choreographer Kenny Ortega and other celebrity guests, will appear. The screening will be at 6pm at the AMC Theatres. The movie will debut on the Disney Channel three days later, August 17 at 8pm. Reported by Playbill.com.
  • Indian Tribe Wants to Build Casino Near Disneyland
    An Indian tribe has formally proposed building a Las Vegas-style casino complex in Garden Grove. Chet Yoshizaki, the city's economic development director, said council members were expected to view the tribe's proposal along with others for the site within a few weeks and narrow the field. Though it's not clear from the article where the exact site is in Garden Grove, parts of the city are only a few miles from Disneyland. Reported by the AP via the Contra Costa Times.


July 29, 2007
  • Disney Drops 'Ratatouille' Wine Promotion
    Disney has decided not to go through with a promotion with Costco that would have featured the star of Ratatouille, Remy, on bottles of French 2004 White Burgandy. The promotion had been criticized by both California winemakers and opponents of underage drinking. Reported by UPI.
  • EuroDisney Sales Up, but so are Costs
    Theme park operator Euro Disney SCA said Thursday that fiscal third-quarter sales rose 12 percent as the company filled more rooms in its hotels, but its shares fell as the company warned about higher costs. Reported by the AP.
  • Disney Unveils Wall*E
    Comingsoon.net has some info on Wall*E, the next scheduled release from Pixar, including more detailed plot information. The info came from a presentation by Disney that included the film's director, Andrew Stanton.
  • Disney to Change Walt Disney World's All-Star Cafe
    Citing guest demand, Disney will be closing the All-Star Cafe, a sports-bar themed restaurant located at its Wild World of Sports complex. The cafe will close September 23, and will re-open November 20 as a counter service restaurant. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


July 25, 2007
  • Disney-branded Films to Ban Depictions of Smoking
    The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday became the first major Hollywood studio to ban depictions of smoking, saying there would be no smoking in its family-oriented, Disney-branded films and it would "discourage" it in films distributed by its Touchstone and Miramax labels. Reported by Reuters.


July 22, 2007


July 21, 2007


July 18, 2007
  • Women Accused of Beating Another Guest Over Place in Line
    A 52-year-old Alabama woman was arrested on suspicion she beat and choked a woman who was allowed ahead of her while waiting to board the Tea Cups at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom park. Apparently, the incident occured nearly two months ago. The woman had been allowed to go home but a judge later signed an arrest warrant when he saw the severity of the victim's injuries. Reported by local6.com.
  • Anaheim Gives Disney and Developer Two More Weeks to Settle Dispute
    The Anaheim City Council on Tuesday night gave a developer and Disney two weeks to come up with a resolution to a dispute over a low-cost housing plan in the Anaheim Resort area.


July 17, 2007
  • Disneyland Turns 52 Today
    No real news story to link, but certainly Disneyland's birthday is worth noting here. A very happy birthday to the Happiest Place on Earth!
  • Disney Promoting Blu-Ray in Malls Across Country
    Disney is taking a Blu-ray road show to 18 malls across America in an effort to increase consumer understanding of the format and its potential benefits. The tour is sponsored by Panasonic and will allow consumers to view Blu-ray versions of Cars and Meet the Robinsons, as well as see a presentation on Blu-ray and high definition technology in a special mini-theatre.


July 16, 2007
  • Possible Compromise Reached on Housing Near Disney Property in Anaheim
    The Walt Disney Co. and a developer may have reached a compromise over the weekend on a fight over a housing proposal near Disney property. This according to Frank Elfend, a consultant for the developer, SunCal. However, Disney's governmental relations official, Chris Lowe, said he was unaware of a deal being reached. Reported by ocregister.com.
  • Disney Planning Big Marketing Blitz for High School Musical 2
    In support of the debut of High School Musical 2 on August 17, Disney is planning online games and streaming music, a documusical, a public affairs program, mobile messages and a televised backyard barbeque hosted by the show’s stars. Reported by Broadcastingcable.com.


July 14, 2007
  • Disney Alerts Movie Club Member to Privacy Breach
    A Wisconsin man has been arrested in a federal undercover sting operation and it was revealed he had credit card information for an undisclosed number of Disney Movie Club members, and was attempting to sell the information to the undercover agents. The man was an employee of a credit card order processing company that Disney contracts with to handle movie club orders. Disney has sent letters to an undisclosed number of movie club members informing them of the breach. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


July 13, 2007


July 11, 2007
  • Disney Movies to be Available for XBox 360
    Microsoft says it has entered a deal to make 35 Disney movies, available for download on its online video game service. Aladdin and Armageddon are two of the included titles. Reported by the Associated Press.


July 10, 2007
  • Disney Pursuing High-end Markets
    Disney is attempting to meet its merchandising revenue goals in part through products like wedding dresses, office furniture and high-end clothing. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


July 9, 2007
  • Disney Music Group Shines in Difficult Time
    In a time when CD sales are falling, the Disney Music Group has prospered with releases from Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts and the High School Musical soundtrack. Reported by the Los Angeles Times.


July 7, 2007
  • American Adventure Attraction Receives Update
    25 slides have been added to the movie portion of the American Adventure attraction at Walt Disney World's Epcot park. The slides reflect recent events in American history and culture and include Michelle Kwan, Tiger Woods and scenes from the World Trade Center rescue and recovery operations.
  • Super Suppers Makes Special Offer for Ratatouille Patrons
    Movie-goers can bring a “Ratatouille” ticket stub to any participating Super Suppers location across the country and receive a free regular-size Baked Chicken and Bowties entrée. The offer will end on July 31 and will be limited to one entrée per family. Reported by Carrolltonleader.com.
  • Talks Underway to fill Sponsorship Role for Disney Golf Tournament
    The PGA Tour and Disney are in talks with the Children's Miracle Network in an attempt to find a sponsor for the annual Disney PGA tournament held at Walt Disney World. Funai, the previous sponser, decided not to continue as sponsor after its contract ended after last year's event. The tournament is scheduled for November 1-4 this year, and Disney has said it will fill the role if no sponser is found. Reported by Golfweek.com.
  • Walt Disney Designed Dreams
    Investor's Business Daily has a nice write-up about how Walt Disney ignored naysayers and built a company and culture that succeeded where so many others failed.


July 6, 2007
  • Fireworks and Special-Effects Group Unionize at Disneyland
    About 30 cast members in a pyrotechnics department at Disneyland have joined IATSE Local 44. Disney has recognized the new union status, and the union expects to begin contract negotiations with Disney management in late July. Reported by Backstage.com.


July 5, 2007


June 19, 2007


June 16, 2007


June 15, 2007
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Getting More Competition Than Expected
    30-year old Ocean Park in Hong Kong has cleaned up its look and is getting record attendance despite the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. Reasons cited include Ocean Park officials' better knowledge of the local market, and a series of missteps made by Disney. Reported by USAToday.com.
  • Disney Store Features Hawaiian Themed Merchandise
    The Alo Moana Center Disney store in Honolulu is featuring a Tiki Kingdom line of clothing. The clothing includes the Disney characters rendered in Tiki form on shirts and other items. Reported by StarBulletin.com.
  • Video Released of Tourist Abducted from Downtown Disney
    Police released surveillance video of one of two tourists who said they were abducted from Downtown Disney and robbed. Surveillance video from a CVS in Kissimmee showed Justin Stetzer entering the store last weekend, taking money out of an ATM and leaving. Reported by cfnews13.com.


June 14, 2007
  • Disney-MGM Studios to Keep Name?
    Not a lot of detail here, but cfnews13.com is reporting that Disney says the Disney-MGM Studios park in Walt Disney World will not be changing its name to Disney-Pixar studios, as has been previously speculated by some.
  • Pixar Slate to Include the Pete Doctor Film "Up"
    Comingsoon.net cites the new issue of Time in providing some deatails about the three Pixar films scheduled to come after Ratatouille opens on June 29th. They are Wall*E in 2008, Up in 2009, and Toy Story 3 in 2010.
  • Nemo Subs in Disneyland Have 5-hour Wait
    Waits for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage were almost 5 hours on Monday, the official opening day for the attraction. Disneyland is allowing guests to stay up to 2.5 hours past closing if they are already in line for the attraction. Reported by CBS2.com.


June 13, 2007


June 12, 2007
  • Drew Barrymore Will Voice Chihuahua in Upcoming Disney Flick
    Drew Barrymore will voice a pampered Chihuahua in the upcoming Disney talking-animal comedy South of the Border. Other voices in the film will come from Andy Garcia, Selma Hayek, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Paul Rodriguez, Placido Domingo, and Edward James Olmos.


June 11, 2007
  • Disney Finds Way to Make Submarine Voyage Accessible
    The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage opens today at Disneyland, and Disney has built a theater that will allow those unable to board the subs to view the voyage on a 61 inch plasma screen. The theater is designed to resemble an observation outpost. Reported by the Associated Press.
  • Pirates 3 Falls to 2nd Domestically, but Still Reigns Overseas
    Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End took in $21.3 million domestically over the weekend, bringing its domestic total to $253.6 million. Internationally, the film grossed $51.3 million to bring that total to $493.5 million. The overall $747.1 million total is 23rd on the all-time worldwide chart. Reported by Reuters and the Hollywood Reporter.
  • Disney About to Announce Joint Venture with India Film Company
    According to the Wall Street Journal, the Walt Disney Company is set to announce a joint venture with India's Yash Raj Films to make animated films voiced by Indian movie stars. Reported by Reuters.


June 10, 2007
  • Disney counting on new Nemo ride to boost Disneyland attendance
    The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage officially opens at Disneyland tomorrow, June 11. The attraction is expected to at least allow Disneyland to sustain it's attendance gains made last year, and possibly give it a further bump. Reported by Bloomberg.com.
  • Couple visiting Downtown Disney (WDW) abducted, robbed and beaten
    A couple from Connecticut were abducted at gunpoint by four men in a Volkswagon Jetta as they were leaving Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney early Sunday morning. They were taken to a remote area near an Osceola County landfill, where they escaped after a struggle. The couple were not seriously hurt.


June 9, 2007


June 7, 2007
  • Fire at Downtown Disney
    Apparently there was a fire Monday in a parking lot that was closed for repaving in Downtown Disney's West Side. A piece of equipment used for the repaving went up in a pretty spectacular fashion, as you can see from the photos in the link. Reported by Netcot.com.
  • Walt Disney World and unions reach agreement
    Members of the Services Trade Council ratified the same contract they rejected less than a month ago. The agreement is retroactive to April 28, and extends through October 2, 2010. Reported by bizjournals.com.


June 6, 2007
  • Disney signs deal with Stan Lee
    Disney and Stan Lee have signed a deal for Stan's company, POW! Entertainment, to produce exclusive content for Disney. Lee is the creator of comic book superheroes Spiderman and the X-Men. However, Lee does not own the rights to those characters, Marvel Entertainment does. This deal will be for new content created by Lee. Reported by the USA Today.
  • Walt Disney Elementary School rededicated
    Diane Disney Miller, Walt's daughter, was on hand for the rededication of the school in Levittown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday. The school was originally built in 1955 and Walt was on hand for the dedication then. Reported by Phillyburbs.com.
  • Disney predicts strong results for theme parks
    At an investor conference in New York on Tuesday, Disney CFO Tom Staggs said "This quarter there are strong results across the board" at the parks. Reported by the Orlando Sentinel.


June 5, 2007


June 4, 2007


June 3, 2007


June 1, 2007
  • Disney announces release of TV DVD's
    Season three of Desperate Housewives will be released September 4. Season three of Grey's Anatomy will hit store shelves on September 11. Season three of Lost will be available December 11. Reported by Reuters.
  • Disney will release 'High School Musical 2' single in July
    The Orlando Sentinel reports Walt Disney Records will relase the single "What Time is It" on July 17. The remaining soundtrack for High School Musical 2 will be released on August 14.


May 31, 2007
  • Anaheim condo proposal scaled back
    The developer who wants to build a hotel-condo complex within the Anaheim resort district has scaled back his proposal from 300 units of each to a 75 room hotel and 191 condo units. The developer sited rising construction costs and competitive hotel rates for the change. Disney still opposes the development. Reported by FresnoBee.com.


May 30, 2007
  • Kali accident due to faulty exit platform
    The AP reports that yesterday's accident on Kali River Rapids was due to a faulty exit platform, and that the six injuries were minor. The ride reopened yesterday.
  • Anaheim Garden Walk set to open in November
    Excel Realty Holdings said in a press release that it's Anaheim Garden Walk development is now 80% leased and the first phase will open in November. Tenents in the first phase include McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, P.F. Chang's, Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Johnny Rockets, California Pizza Kitchen and Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant.


May 29, 2007
  • 6 hurt on Kali River Rapids in Disney's Animal Kingdom
    WESH is reporting that 6 people were hurt this morning on the Kali River Rapids ride at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom park. The report says the injuries were minor, but there is very little detail. All 6 were transported to area hospitals.


May 28, 2007
  • Pirates 3 sets one record, misses another
    At World's End fell well short of the opening weekend record set just a few weeks ago by Spiderman 3. But it did eclipse the Memorial Day weekend record held previously by X-Men: The Last Stand.


May 26, 2007
  • Pirates 3 pulls in $43M on Friday
    Reported by ABC News, the total was well short of the $59.3M taken in by Spiderman 3 on its opening day three weeks ago. When combined with the Thursday screenings, Pirates' total so far is $57M domestically. Not a record, but still a tidy sum.
  • "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" to open June 11th
    Floridatoday.com reports Disney is nearing completion of the project. "We view this as a sequel to the movie," said Rick Rothschild, senior vice president and executive show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering.


May 25, 2007


May 24, 2007
  • Anika Noni Rose will voice Princess Tiana
    Anika Noni Rose, of Dreamgirls fame, will provide the voice of Princess Tiana in Disney's animated feature The Princess and the Frog. The film had been titled The Frog Princess and is scheduled for a holiday 2009 release. Story from The Hollywood Reporter.


May 23, 2007


May 22, 2007
  • WDW and unions extend contract 30 days
    Walt Disney World negotiators and the Service Trade Council Union have agreed to extend their current contract for another 30 days so negotiations can continue. Reported by bizjournals.com.
  • Disney explains reaction to Hamas Mickey
    Bob Iger explains that Disney did not react strongly because they believed it would have been futile to do so, and he also didn't want to give Hamas more attention. Reported by the USA Today.
  • Teen shocked with Taser at WDW
    A sheriff's deputy said he used a Taser on the teen after he and 4 companions attacked him. Disney security guards were also reportedly attacked. The group of 3 teens and two adults is accused of spitting and cursing at other guests, which is why the deputy was called in. Reported by local6.com.
  • AP writer offers tips for travelling to Walt Disney World.
    The AP provides some basic but useful money-saving tips to use when planning a Walt Disney World trip.


May 19, 2007
  • Members of Union Say "No" to Deal with Disney
    More than 52% of the Services Trade Council members who voted on a potential 3-year agreement with Disney rejected the offer. This despite the offer being endorsed by the Council. Leadership of one of the six unions represented by the Council, Teamsters Local 385, had refused to endorse the potential deal. Talks are expected to resume, but no date has been set.


May 15, 2007
  • Disney Launching VOD Travel Channel
    Later this month, Disney will be launching an interactive video on demand travel channel on Time Warner and Cablevision systems. The channel will include original shows that highlight Disney parks and Adventures by Disney. Depending on the cable system, viewers will be able to use their remote to order information or request a Disney representative call them. Programming will be free. Reported by the AP.


May 14, 2007
  • Devil Rays to Play Three Games at Walt Disney World
    The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in an effort to expand their fan base, will play three home games at the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports complex, beginning Tuesday of this week. The D-Rays will host the Texas Rangers. Reported by the USA Today.


May 13, 2007
  • Disney Launches Big Cheese Tour
    Movieweb.com reports that Disney has launched "The Big Cheese Tour", a touring interactive experience that includes a 25' slide, a movie theatre showing a sneak peak of "Ratatouille", cooking demonstrations, video game demonstrations, and more. Upcoming locations include Walt Disney World, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, New York, Washington DC, and Chicago.


May 12, 2007
  • Iger Reaffirms Support of Blue-Ray Format
    Highdefdigest.com is reporting that after indicating at the annual shareholders meeting that Disney was considering supporting both the HDDVD and Blu-Ray formats, Disney CEO Bob Iger has now said they will stick with Blu-Ray only. Iger is quoted as saying that sales of Blu-Ray discs "are outpacing HD discs by at least two to one". He believes that retailers will soon have to make a choice about which format to support due to limited shelf space. He also notes that Blu-ray is winning abroad as well.
  • Disney Sheet Music to be Available Online
    NBC26.com is reporting that Disney sheet music will soon be avaiable via online retailer Musicnotes.com. Included will be music from Disney's animated films, Disney Channel shows, and Disney's live-action movies. A quick search for "Disney" on the Musicnotes site produces 118 matches.


May 11, 2007
  • New FASTPASS Tickets Being Distributed
    Wdwmagic.com is reporting that a new style of FASTPASS ticket is being distributed at Kilimanjaro Safaris in Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom park. The key change is a barcode on the side of the ticket. No official word on what it will be used for. It could be just to help Disney get better data on when guests actually use their tickets, and/or it could be in preparation for new features.
  • Disney Bridal Gowns Go On Sale
    If youra fixin' ta git hitched, maybe these are for you. The Orlando Sentinel reports that this weekend will be the first opportunity to purchase the gowns in the U.S. They will be shown at Solutions Bridal Designer House in Winter Park, Florida.


May 10, 2007
  • Disney and Scarface?
    Reuters reports that Disney's most successful mobile content is Scarface related ringtones, downloads, etc.
  • Who needs Disney?
    Apparently, the Shijingshan Amusement Park outside of Beijing, China does. The state-owned park is, without permission, using some pretty familiar looking characters. Reported by the AP.
  • WDW reaches agreement with its largest labor group
    The Orlando Sentinel reports that WDW has reached an agreement with the Service Trades Council, which represents six groups of WDW employees. However, one of those groups is not recommending the contract to it's members.
  • Disney Bans Smoking in WDW Hotels
    The AP reports that Disney will ban smoking in all WDW hotel rooms effective June 1st.


May 9, 2007
  • Disney Launches Mix Central
    USA Today is reporting that Disney has launched a music and video online store that will sell downloads aimed at youngsters.
  • Disney exceeds 2nd quarter profit expectations
    The AP is reporting that Disney's net profit rose 27% in the quarter ending March 31st, though revenues only rose 1%. Park attendance rose in Florida and Anaheim, as well as in France, though Hong Kong Disneyland continues to struggle. The company's outlook for the remainder of the year depends heavily on the performance of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", and "Ratatouille".
  • Fire in historic Griffith Park
    From CNN, a brush fire has burned approximately 600 acres in the park located in the Hollywood Hills. Among many other landmarks, the park is the place where Walt Disney would take his daughters for rides on the carousel. It is also home to a barn that Walt used as a machine shop when working on his backyard railroad. Firefighters report that no landmarks are in danger.


Copyright 2007 JULY171955.COM

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