The Cormier family became honorary Disney royalty for a day and night after Sheila Cormier exited the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction around 11 a.m. That was the randomly selected location and time determined by the Disney Dreams Giveaway computer to award the Cinderella Castle stay.
The $3 million goal – in celebration of the third Pirates adventure – was set forth just two weeks ago. Disney started things with a donation of more than $1 million. Ticket buyers from countries such as Australia, Japan, Germany, Belgium, Canada and Mexico, and 35 U.S. states including Hawaii raced to log on to www.piratespremiere.com and purchased tickets to the event at $1,500 apiece. Ticket buyers making the trip to Anaheim next month for the event include a family from Chicago, where the father is having his kids volunteer at a children’s hospital so they can fully appreciate their tickets. A doctor from Canada is sending her mother as a thank you for working multiple jobs to put her through medical school. A soldier currently serving in Iraq is sending his parents from Oregon to let them know he loves and misses them.
The net loss for the six months through March 31 narrowed to euro82 million ($111.7 million) from 101.8 million in the same period a year earlier, the company said in a statement. Sales rose 9.7 percent to euro512.6 million ($698.5 million).
Revenue was largely boosted by greater theme park attendance and hotel occupancy. Theme park attendance rose by 600,000 people to 6.1 million, while average spending per hotel room gained 5.1 percent.
The 1893 Chicago Colombian Exposition brought us the Ferris wheel, carbonated soda, picture postcards, The Pledge of Allegiance and Juicy Fruit gum.
And, oh yeah, it also brought belly dancing, camel rides, ostriches and the nation's first serial killer.
You can learn more about the impact the World's Fair had on Chicago and the nation, as well as a multitude of interesting anecdotes, through a new bus tour offered by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
"The Devil in the White City Tour" is a companion guide to Erik Larson's best-selling book of the same name.
Walt Disney's father, Elias, worked at the fair as a laborer. Decades later, many would call Disney World, especially EPCOT, a permanent World's Fair.
Touting the virtues of micromanagement, the former head of The Walt Disney Co. said attention to every detail is the key to developing a successful brand.
For example, Michael Eisner, chief executive officer of Disney from 1984 to 2005, said that upon his insistence, Disney's line of cruise ships has shampoo bottles with big, easy-to-read print.
Iger calls it the Tom Murphy School of Management. "You put good people in jobs and give them room to run," he says. "You involve yourself in a responsible way, but not to the point where you are usurping their authority. I don't have the time or concentration--and you could argue maybe even the talent--to do that."
So... are any of the journalists in this region capable of contacting Disney themselves for comment? I've seen two stories that debunk Disney's involvement, both of which hinge on Commissioner Jerry Carter's claim that he spoke to someone unnamed at Disney who said it's not true. That's abysmal reporting. Guys, Disney is listed in the phone book. 818 area code. Burbank, California. This story has *one* source -- Jerry Carter. Pathetic.
Zagat surveyed 4,841 people by computer between Nov. 16 and Dec. 3. The average participant had been to Disney World 36 times. And 58 percent possessed annual or season passes.
She estimated that she sends more than 8,000 text messages a month to her friends and family.
But not without some extraordinary effort. Next Tuesday, Disney will unleash an unusual all-day television advertising campaign, culminating with a 90-second spot on “American Idol,” intended to drive viewers to a nine-and-a-half-minute clip from the film at disney.com.
In effect, the studio is promoting its promotion.
Francis X. Atencio remembers riding with Walt Disney through the dark swamp in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride before it opened — from haunted caverns to a pirate galleon to a ransacked Caribbean seaport.
He turned to Disney and apologized as they drifted past a bustling marketplace scene, where a pirate auctioned off a woman to a crowd of rowdy buccaneers.
“I’m sorry we can’t hear all of their lines,” Atencio said.
Disney responded: “This way, each time people go through it, they’ll hear something new.”
More than 25 years ago at Disney World, I had a friend snap a picture of me swearing on a pretend Bible that, if blessed with children, I would never take them to “The Mouse.”
Well, one wife and kid later, my pledge bit the dust when our family recently spent four days at the vast vacation mecca. Maybe it’s that I’m more world-wearied, that my 5-year-old daughter cannot get enough of Cinderella, that when it was 5 degrees here it was 65 there, that fast passes for rides are now available or that I’m more comfortable embracing high-tech, fun-filled, child-inspired enchantments. Whatever the reason, when I entered the Disney bubble this time, notwithstanding the large dent it put in my bank account, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Beyond all the cheerful personnel at the airport, hotel and parks, terrific in-house transportation system, stunning propertywide landscaping, cleanliness, security and abundance of bathrooms, what struck me most about the mega complex was its sense of spirituality.
That may sound odd considering Disney, by design, has no religious face per se. But while nowhere on explicit display, I still thought I found religion in Mickey Mouse’s backyard. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that to merit the kingdom of heaven they must “change and become like little children.” Isn’t this what Disney World encourages? That sensibility should also register with Jews because, after all, we refer to ourselves as the children of Israel. Remaining childlike even as we mature helps preserve a capacity for play that can prompt more authentic, dynamic and healthy human relations.
Entering the Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios or Animal Kingdom, one experiences a certain giddiness knowing that a kind of Promised Land of wonder and mirth has been reached. A warm sense of community is cultivated by the human scale buildings, consistently yet aesthetically engaging architecture, ambient music, ubiquitous Disney characters, elaborate stage shows and impromptu street skits.
If you want to just show up and enjoy the day, Silverwood fits the bill. Plus, it's a day's drive, at 350 miles east of Seattle. Disneyland in Anaheim involves more preplanning and preparation, but Walt Disney World takes the prize. You could spend your entire vacation reading blogs, Internet bulletin boards, Web sites, travel reviews and guidebooks about WDW and never step foot in Orlando.
So while I was searching Facebook groups (we reflect on the anti-feminist groups article), I came across several "Disney gave me unrealistic expectations about love," with member counts rising above 114,000. Disney also gave several Facebookers unrealistic expectations about men, body image and my own personal favorite: physics.
And it's not just Disney. "The Notebook" and "Grey's Anatomy" are also to be blamed for our unrealistic expectations. I see where everyone is coming from. I am also aware that people don't have waists like that, and I understand why so many feminists and just normal people have a problem with Disney's promotions of traditional gender roles and reliance on white heteronormativity. I am also aware that many of the princesses are white, and even some of the multicultural ones (Mulan and Esmeralda) are not princesses at all.
I get all that. But I have a few things to say. First, seriously, take some responsibility, people. I literally grew up with Disney, and I know all the words to songs and have sung along to even some of the most anti-feminist ones - even "Me" in "Beauty and the Beast" and this gem from "Cinderella," "Leave the sewing to the women, you go get some trimming."
Yet, I don't think young impressionable me came away thinking, "Well only girl mice sew dresses." I also don't think I believed that people in coffins can be kissed back to health. While not defending Disney Corporation, I've also wondered why people didn't come away with Ariel singing, "Bet they don't reprimand their daughters, bright young women, sick of swimming, ready to stand…" which I always read as female independence, and instead got caught up in, "Some day my prince will come."
Bridal gowns priced between $1,100 and $3,500 US dollars and a “Maidens” for bridesmaids collection will be available at specialty boutiques in North America, Japan and Europe beginning in June. The collection will soon expand to include “Jewels” that accessorize even the fairest of them all.
I found the movie was distorted, unrealistic and innappropriate in terms of the story it tells about adoption," said Peterson.
"That setup has disturbed hundreds of adoptive parents and their children, stoking abandonment and rejection fears originating from a story that does not accurately reflect how adopted children are placed with families," Adam Pertman of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute told USA Today.
Larson says Disney is the master of making waiting in line magical.
At its theme parks, standing in line is part of the attraction for many.
"Disney properties, I believe, are the experts in the psychology of waiting in line," Larson observes. "Their idea is, as soon as you join the line, you may be waiting 45 minutes before you actually sit on the ride, but you actually start the experience while you're in the line, because of all the distractions and entertainment around you."
Chicago is our kind of town, and Disney’s Doorway to Dreams is your opportunity to become part of the Disney Vacation Club Cast family without leaving your hometown.
Scheduled to open late this summer, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will be an imaginative preview center in the popular Woodfield Mall, featuring a full-size, two-bedroom model Vacation Home representing Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, a variety of interactive multi-media experiences and, most importantly, friendly and knowledgeable Cast Members committed to delivering the world-class Guest service for which Disney is famous.
This is where you come in!
You can learn more about the roles, and apply for consideration, online by clicking here and selecting Chicago under the "City" category. Interviews are scheduled to begin in Chicago in mid-April, so act now.
We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies," Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said. "This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests."
The film will play on 3-D-ready digital-cinema screens as the opening attraction to screenings of "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D," which will be rereleased by the Walt Disney Co. in October.
Made in 1982, "Vincent" is a six-minute stop-motion film that tells the story of Vincent Malloy, a youth who imagines that he is like Vincent Price. The black-and-white short is based on a poem written by Burton, who was influenced by Price. Price narrated the film.
OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT
CHRONOLOGICAL DONALD, VOLUME 3
DISNEYLAND: STORIES, SECRETS, AND MAGIC
Each 2-Disc DVD Set Includes Authenticity Certificate and Collectible
Lithograph Available in Limited Supply December 11
BURBANK, Calif., April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Walt Disney Home Entertainment continues the popular Walt Disney Treasures series with three new 2-Disc DVD sets featuring rarely seen footage presented with amazing color and sound. The seventh installment of Walt Disney Treasures will be available December 11, 2007 in a limited supply just in time for the holidays.
Predating even Mickey Mouse, the legendary and rarely-seen "Oswald The Lucky Rabbit" was Walt Disney's first big animated star, and having recently returned to the Disney fold, comes out of the vault for the first time ever on DVD. The silent shorts made from 1926 to 1927 with Walt's personal touch, are revitalized with a brand-new score specifically made for Walt Disney Treasures, Wave VII.
"Chronological Donald, Volume 3" features the most prolific of "Walt's Fab Five," the short-tempered but hilarious Donald Duck in rarely seen solo shorts dating 1947 through 1950.
"Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic" is a comprehensive look at the "Happiest Place on Earth." The centerpiece of this volume is a new documentary with archival footage, including Walt's own words, as well as new interviews that reveal the magic and manpower behind one of the world's most famous destinations.
Each volume features noted film historian, author, and critic Leonard Maltin. Each volume is individually numbered, with an authenticity certificate, and an exclusive lithograph in the collectible, unique packaging tins and available just in time for the holidays, in a limited supply only.
Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution. Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment is a division of Disney Enterprises, Inc.
These press materials are available at http://www.BVHEpublicity.com
(C) Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.
The studios will spend an extra $15 million on each film to make them work in 3-D. The enhanced graphics, as well as 3-D's resistance to piracy, make the format attractive and worth the additional cost, studio and theater executives said.
"Meet the Robinsons" played in about 3,400 theaters and did especially well in a 3-D version at 600 cinemas, said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney. The studio did not have a precise breakdown, but cinemas reported that screens playing the 3-D version pulled in about double the grosses of theaters running the regular 2-D version, Viane said.
