A Possible Sequel To "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"?

Thanks to The Disney Blog for pointing out this story.

It appears that there's a glimmer of hope for a sequel to "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". "Roger Rabbit" director Bob Zemeckis dropped the bomb nonchalantly during an interview, of all places.

That would be an absolutely amazing feat if that can happen, because I can only imagine how the negotiations would occur to get all those cartoon characters from different competing companies to appear in the movie. And to think that it may also be done in 3D would be a mind-blower.

Yowzah! First Tron, now this!

Zz.

Things That The Horse-Racing Industry Can Learn From Disney?

I initially thought that this was a piece on the poor horses that died almost at the same time. But no, it is a piece on how poorly the horse-racing industry is treating its customers. The writer compares how Disney does it at the various theme parks and what can be learned from it.

The most obvious difference between the mouse world and the horse world is the level of planning and detail at Disney -- even during a recession.

Buses, unlike races, run on time. Customers, unlike bettors, are king. Cleanliness, unlike the state of most grandstands, is a fixation. Friendliness and politeness, unlike the attitude of most part-mutuel tellers, is a job requirement. Food quality and options, unlike most track food, is impressive.

We haven't even talked about the main attraction yet, the theme parks themselves.

Hum... I guess as much as some of us complain about some of the things going on at the Disney theme parks, we still don't have it as bad as what this writer talks about. Still, as most of us know, Disney is judged to a significantly higher standards than others, because they have set their level higher than others. What many of us can tolerate at other theme parks, we would find very uncharacteristic at a Disney theme park. That is why when it appears to be an erosion of such quality, many of us are up in arms.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Water falling "up" near the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot.



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Disney Tourist With Swine Flu?

I guess it had to happen sooner or later.

There is a news report that a tourist from Mexico who was visiting Walt Disney World has been diagnosed with the swine flu.

Loran Hauck, chief medical office for Aventist Health System, told WFTV.com the case was diagnosed this morning.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," Hauck wrote in an e-mail obtained by the Orlando television station.

There's nothing anyone can do here unless, besides checking people's biometric identity, they also check body temperature, blood test, etc.. etc. And who wants that?

Edit: It appears that this case is not confirmed yet.

Zz.

Random DL Picture

Since we've had random WDW pictures, I thought we should also have random Disneyland pictures. So here's the first one. This is of course, at the It's A Small World attraction.



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Celebrating Spring At Disneyland Resort

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Random WDW Picture

The Seas with Nemo and Friends.



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20 Secrets of Disney's Hollywood Studios

In honor of the 20th anniversary of DHS last Friday, the Chicago Tribune has this article on 20 "secrets" of DHS. I put "secrets" in quotes because some of these are really not a secret at all to many Disney fans, even casual ones, if you've seen any of the Disney shows on the Travel Channel.

Still, there's plenty of fascinating things to read and learn from.

Zz.

More Uproar Over "Princess and the Frog"

Y'know, if I were the Disney Animation Studios, I would say that this is the LAST time I would try to integrate a black princess into my story, because it is JUST not worth it!

It seems that there are people already up in arms about the rumor that the first Disney African-American princess might have a "whitish" suitor in the movie.

The controversy has intensified after it was revealed that the film would be set in New Orleans and that Tiana would find love with a white prince — well, almost. His skin has been described as olive-toned and he will be voiced by Bruno Campos, a Brazilian actor.

“What? No black prince? What’s up with this?” blogged James Collier on Acting White, an anti-racism website, in a posting typical of the general disbelief among the film’s most vocal black critics. “Perhaps Disney doesn’t want the future mothers of dwindling white America being imprinted so early in their lives with the notion of a black suitor.”

Give me a break! These are probably the SAME people who complained about Barack Obama not being black enough because of the way he speak, the way he is educated, etc... So now there are various degree of "blackness", and obviously there are people running around in this world who have been self-appointed and have a measuring stick to know when someone is black enough! I'm surprised they haven't tossed out Tiger Woods since he is half Asian!

And take note that this is all BEFORE they have even SEEN the freaking movie! Talk about PREJUDICE and PRE-JUDGEMENT!

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Marty Sklar To Retire From WDI

Whoa! This is major news!

The Disney and More blog is reporting that Marty Sklar has announced his retirement from WDI and the Walt Disney Company. If this is true, this will be the end of a major chapter in the Walt Disney Company as he is one of, if not the, last person at the Walt Disney Company to have worked directly with Walt. He has the distinct honor of being the only person who was at the opening of ALL the Disney theme parks.

Best wishes in your retirement, Marty, and thanks for everything.

Zz.

Yard Crasher: Disney Epcot

DIY Network's "Yard Crasher" will crash into a very, very, VERY large backyard - the Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival. The premier episode will air on the network on Monday, April 27 at 9 p.m. EDT.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

HalloWishes fireworks during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.



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MLB All-Star Game Grand-Slam Million-Ticket Sweepstakes

Yes, I know the topic was a mouthful. But if someone hits a grand-slam homerun during the upcoming Major League Baseball game, the first 1 million fan who entered in the sweepstakes will get to see the new Disney movie "G-Force" for free.

Here's the press release.

A team of secret government operatives are infiltrating Major League Baseball this season. Their mission? Give away one million tickets to see their movie "G-FORCE" on its opening day. From Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films comes "G-FORCE," a 3-D high-octane comedy adventure about a covert government program in which guinea pigs are trained to work in espionage. The film, opening nationwide July 24, teams up with MLB for the unprecedented G-Force Grand Slam Sweepstakes. If a grand slam is hit during the All-Star Game on July 14, the first million people who have entered on Disney.com will win a free ticket to see "G-FORCE" on its opening day.

The program marks the most comprehensive promotional sponsorship of Major League Baseball by a major motion picture ever and the first movie promoting its debut during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game since Disney's "Angels in the Outfield" in 1994.

"'G-FORCE' is a hilarious 3-D comedy that family audiences will love," said Jim Gallagher, president of marketing for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. "We hope one of the All Stars hits a grand slam, because what better way to launch the release than with a million enthusiastic sports fans showing up as part of opening day!"

Grand slams are on the rise with 18 grand slams having been hit so far this season, well ahead of the normal pace.

"By teaming the most significant sporting event of the summer with the most anticipated family movie of the summer, we hope to give fans a little something more to cheer for when they tune-in to the All-Star Game," said Tim Brosnan, Major League Baseball executive vice president, business. "Delivering tried and true forms of family entertainment, Disney and Major League Baseball are a perfect team."

"We think that 'G-FORCE' hits a grand slam with comedy, adventure and innovative 3-D, and we're excited to share the fun with audiences of all ages," said producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

The first million people who enter online at Disney.com between April 22 and midnight on July 14 will receive a code redeemable for one free ticket to the movie on its opening day (July 24) at participating theaters if a grand slam is hit during the All-Star Game, which will air live on FOX at 8 p.m ET. on July 14. Additionally, the more than 46,000 attendees of the All-Star Game, which takes place in St. Louis' Busch Stadium, will each receive a promotional card with a ticket code redeemable for a free ticket on opening day if a grand slam is hit.

This new promotional relationship follows last week's announcement that four sponsors of Major League Baseball are returning along with three new sponsors in Japan.

The movie takes a front-row seat in the effort to select the starting lineups for this year's MLB All-Star teams. As the exclusive sponsor of in-stadium All-Star balloting, "G-FORCE" will appear on more than 20 million ballots distributed at the 30 MLB ballparks, at more than 100 Minor League ballparks, and through in-stadium messaging and announcements. Major League Baseball and Disney will select a child from local Boys & Girls Club of America chapters to participate in the in-stadium All-Star balloting launch ceremony.

Prior to the All-Star Game, 29 MLB Clubs will host "Walt Disney Pictures 'G-FORCE' Days" including "G-FORCE"-themed trading card giveaways and movie ticket/prize-pack giveaways during the games.

For the G-Force Grand Slam Sweepstakes Official Rules, go to Disney.com/g-force. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Riding in the front car of the monorail.



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Happy Earth Day, and Happy Birthday DAK

Today is Earth Day, and opening day for Disneynature's "Earth". Are you going to go see it?

Today is also Disney's Animal Kingdom's birthday. It first opened on this day in 1998.

Zz.

Celebrating the Animation of Milt Kahl

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science will be celebrating the animation magic of Milt Kahl, one of Disney's Nine Old Men. As one of the less well-known animators, his contribution to Disney's animation is nevertheless quite substantial.

This LA Times news article has a good coverage of Kahl's amazing talent and ability. I'm always grateful of being able to read about things like this and to be able to appreciate the contribution of someone who we may not know about, or did not appreciate fully.

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Characters In Flight Officially Opens

Characters In Flight officially opens at Downtown Disney today. Check this news article or previous blog entries to see a video of this new attraction.

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Random WDW Picture

A couple of the occupants of the savanna at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, my most favorite resort in all of WDW.



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Disney Goes To War

This is a rather curious but fascinating find. While many of us were aware of the Disney's involvement during World War II, especially in producing various propaganda material, I certainly didn't read about it coherently, until now.

This is information hosted at the US Army's webpage on Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company's role during the war. It's a wonderful article on the history and relationship between the military and the Walt Disney company way back then when the whole nation was galvanized to fight the war.

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"Earth" Is Already Making An Impact

Disneynature's "Earth" will open this Wednesday, April 22, but it already is making an impact. Over half a million tickets have already been purchased, and that means that Disney will plant half a million trees.

The president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group spoke with Access Hollywood saying, "With half a million new trees committed so far, Disneynature's first film is already making an impact on the world--and 'EARTH' hasn't even opened yet. We're so pleased that moviegoers have embraced this film and our tree-planting initiative to this degree and we expect the numbers to keep climbing."

Good job!

We are planning on seeing this probably on Friday.

Zz.

Learning to Chat With Mickey Mouse

Well, this is certainly new.

Disney has opened a school that teaches Chinese kids English, or what they call "Disney English".

The company says the initiative is primarily about teaching language skills to children, not extending its brand in the world's most populous nation. But from the oversize Mickey Mouse sculpture in the foyer to diction lessons starring Lilo & Stitch, the company's flagship school here is filled with Disney references.

It was hard to figure out the reason and motive for Disney to open such a facility. However, there's a hint on why they would do this.

Disney, based in Burbank, Calif., already sells merchandise at shops nationwide and has produced two films in the country, including a live-action one due for release this year featuring China's beloved pandas. And in the boldest attempt to extend the brand, the company recently asked China's government for permission to build a $3.59 billion Shanghai Disneyland that could open in 2014.

Still, amid China's limits on foreign media, the company has been unable to start a television channel or distribute its full portfolio of movies in China, and teaching English is a way for Disney to expand its reach. The company plans to have four Shanghai centers by June, from the current two, and to launch in Beijing within a year. Disney declined to say how many students it has.

It certainly is an interesting approach to penetrate more of the Chinese market. Still, are they making money out of something like this, or is this also simply a "loss-leader" to get the kids be familiar with the Disney brand name?

Zz.

"Surprise Kids! You're Going To Disney World!!"

Surprise your kids by telling them that you're going to Disney World! They'll cry and scream in ....... despair???!!



Is there a point where it is legal to disown one's own children? :) :)

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Disneynature's "Earth" Opens on Earth Day

In case you haven't heard it, the first movie from the Disneynature movie company, "Earth", will open this Wednesday, April 22, on Earth Day. It is produced by the same team that made the wonderful "Planet Earth" series on Discovery Channel.

Disney will also plant a tree, mainly in the Brazilian Atlantic forrest, for every person that sees it on its opening week. In addition, if you buy advanced tickets on Fandango, you'll get a coupon for a free shopping bag with any purchase at a Disney Store.

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Random WDW Picture

The peak of Expedition Everest at night.



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Random WDW Picture

Hey, let's all go get a sip of Beverly!



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Device Helps Blind Visualize Rides At Disney Parks

Disney is rolling out a wireless device that helps guests that are visually impaired to have a visual description of attractions such as It's A Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Called "audio description," the service provides visually impaired vacationers with a narrative depiction of the scenes that unfold as they move through rides such as the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.

It is the latest feature added to a proprietary, wireless system that Disney World initially developed to help disabled guests. The system also includes features for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests, such as amplified sound and hand-held captions.

Naively, one would think that simply piping in a narrative audio would be sufficient. But as in many cases, the devil is in the details. Things are often not as trivial as they appear. It is certainly the case here.

Engineers had to make various changes along the way. Tests revealed, for instance, that blind guests were uncomfortable using the original, two-ear headphones because they depend on their sense of sound to guide themselves around. So Disney replaced the headphone with a single earpiece, which allows a guest to leave the other ear unobstructed.

The system's narration also had to be carefully selected and produced to distinguish it from the other audio encountered in a Disney attraction.

For example, in the Haunted Mansion, where all riders listen to a ghoulishly themed male voice, the audio description produced by the hand-held device is provided by a female voice speaking in even tones.

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New Pictures From Disney's Resort In Hawaii

Thanks to Melody for pointing this out. There are pictures on DisBoards of the current construction at Ko Olina on Oahu of the new Disney resort.

It looks like the resort will be right next to a lot of houses.

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'Snow White' Blu-ray Box Art

High-Def Digest has the first look at the box art for the upcoming Blu-Ray release of Snow White. The article has links to previous known specs of the disk.

Considering that this is such a landmark movie for the Walt Disney company, I would think that it would get the same loving treatment as Sleeping Beauty, if not more. I am ready to toss out the DVD version of Snow White in anticipation of the Blu-ray release, which hopefully will also contain the standard DVD version.

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Random WDW Picture

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Disney Expert Uses Science to Draw Boy Viewers

Such close study can start to sound a bit spooky, but sometime that's what you got to do to research what needs to be done.

This NY Times article highlights the "research" that Disney did in its attempt to capture the market of boys in the 6 to 14 age range, a segment of the population that has been rather weak for Disney. So far, it has resulted in the DisneyXD channel, which is only the beginning of its campaign.

Ms. Peña and her team of anthropologists have spent 18 months peering inside the heads of incommunicative boys in search of just that kind of psychological nugget. Disney is relying on her insights to create new entertainment for boys 6 to 14, a group that Disney used to own way back in the days of “Davy Crockett” but that has wandered in the age of more girl-friendly Disney fare like “Hannah Montana.”
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The people on Ms. Peña’s team have anthropology and psychology backgrounds, but she majored in journalism and never saw herself working with children. Indeed, her training in consumer research came from working for a hotel operator of riverboat casinos.

“Children seemed to open up to me,” said Ms. Peña, who does not have any of her own.

Sometimes the research is conducted in groups; sometimes it involves Ms. Peña’s going shopping with a teenage boy and his mother (and perhaps a videographer). The subjects, who are randomly selected by a market research company, are never told that Disney is the one studying them. The children are paid $75.

I suppose if you are willing to invest into something, you might as well get as much information before hand on how to proceed and know your target audience.

Zz.

Saw "Up" in 3D

Well, not the whole movie, obviously.

We went to see "Monsters vs. Aliens" in 3D over the weekend. It wasn't a bad movie, worth a few chuckles here and there. Still, can we have a moratorium on aliens from another world that have the street savvy or can speak street language of people here on Earth? It's getting to be freaking annoying.

Anyway, this isn't a review of the movie. What was fascinating was the trailers shown before the movie, several of them in 3D. Of course, one of them was a trailer of "Up". I have only one thing to say about it: SPECTACULAR!

I'm already salivating for the day it will be released, and this trailer does nothing but simply adds to my giddiness to see this movie. I can feel it in my bones that this is going to be VERY good.

Zz.

Picnic in Disney's Animal Kingdom

OK, this is such a good idea considering that it is Animal Kingdom. Disney is rolling out another way for you to have your meals at DAK - a picnic!

Under the plan, guests pre-order picnics in front of Animal Kingdom's guest-relations office or at the Tusker House Restaurant and then pick them up at their chosen time (as long as it is no earlier than two hours after the order is placed) at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery next to Tusker House. They then head for one of 14 designated picnic spots around the park

The picnics feature either sandwiches or rotisserie chicken or ham, one or more sides, desserts and bottles of water. Each comes in a reusable bag with plates, utensils and a map marked with the picnic locations.

Prices start at $24.99 plus tax for a sandwich meal for three and range as high as $56.99 plus tax for a rotisserie meal for six.

I will have to check what areas they are designating as picnic areas. I may be tempted enough to do this next time we are there.

Zz.

Characters In Flight - Views From The Top

As expected, there are already pictures and videos of the new Characters In Flight, the new hot air balloon ride at Downtown Disney's West Side. Thanks to OrlandoCentral for the video.



I hope to get to do this when we get there next in late June.

Zz.

Remy at Chefs de France

Courtesy of TheDisneyBlog, here's a video of Remy's appearance at Chefs de France.



This may push me over the edge and forces me to make a reservation there. :)

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Disney Films Undermines Effort On Children's Personal Safety?

More psychoanalysis of Disney's movies and the possible impact on children. This time, some scholars are claiming that many Disney movies give the wrong type of response to unwanted physical contact on children by adults.

The research, published in the journal Child Abuse, was conducted by a team of psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists at Carleton University, in Canada.

The academics wrote that they were "surprised to find depictions of children being touched, usually by adults, contrary to the expressed desires of the child".

They studied 47 animated feature length Disney films, released between 1937 and 2006. In ten of them, they found examples of "unwanted personal contact" or scenes which show child characters in "risky situations".

I suppose I shouldn't say anything more since I haven't read the paper. However, I will say that one can make any kind of assertion one wants, but it is another thing to show that A causes B. Disney movies have been around for such a long time, including the ones being studied here. If one were to argue that such movies put kids in jeopardy, then one would think that there have been already MANY instances where one can point to as solid evidence that, yes, Disney movies did contribute to such-and-such incident. After all, there have been thousands, if not millions, of children who grew up with many of these Disney movies. Do they have solid evidence that there were a lot of child abuse incidents in which there is a direct correlation and causation evidence that it was the influence of these movies that contributed to such abuse?

It is one thing to hypothesize these things. It is another to show evidence.

Zz.

Brad Garrett at "Finding Nemo"

Actor Brad Garrett meets the actors at "Finding Nemo - The Musical" at Disney's Animal Kingdom.



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The Mouse Is No Louse--Buy Disney

Despite all the bashing that the Disney stocks had taken over the past few months, and with these so-called analysts downgrading Disney stocks, here's something from Forbes.com that has a very clear and simple messge: "Buy Disney".

"The Disney name is one of the world's most recognized brands across all of its major business segments," says George Putnam, editor of the Turnaround Letter. "While the company's financial results have been hurt temporarily by the global economic weakness, we believe it is well positioned to prosper again when economic conditions improve."

I see the drop in the price of Disney stocks as an opportunity to buy more stocks in the company.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

From Saratoga Springs Resort.



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Disneyland's "It's A Small World" Redux

The issue and passion surrounding the changes made to Disneyland's "It's a Small World" doesn't seem to want to go away. As you recall, many Disney fans were up in arms with the addition of Disney characters into the attraction.

Well now, here's another reason to douse that flame of anger. Jim Hill has an article that included an interview with one of the original designer of that attraction. Alice Davis, who was one of the designer of the original attraction, doesn't have a problem with it.

A lot of people decided before they even rode the revised version of 'it’s a small world' that they were going to hate it. Well, to them I say, 'Get a key and open your minds.''

Kim Irvine did a wonderful job here and the general public needs to understand & appreciate that. Sure, this was a project that was started by a committee. But that committee was smart enough to hand this project off to an artist who actually understood this attraction and really respected the people who originally created 'it’s a small world.' Which is why this redo turned out as well as it did.

I would say that if there is anyone who knows about Mary Blair and knows about the attraction intimately, it is her. With this interview, I would find it very hard to be convinced of all the statements from various Disney "fans" about the desecration of It's A Small World. Those things just right hollow now, or at the very least, carry less weight. Alice Davis' statements certainly has the tone of telling these fans to get over it and go on with their lives.

Zz.

GM and Segway Unveil PUMA

I read about this new 2-seater vehicles this morning, and I had some nagging thing in the back of my head that kinda made me think there's something familiar about this, but I didn't make the connection till just now.

So GM and Segway are teaming up to make this rather "cute" vehicles that people can get around in. Think of it as a longer-range Segway where you can relax and sit down. It also has all the stuff to prevent crashing, etc.

Coined P.U.M.A (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), the vehicle features an OnStar wireless communication system that lets people communicate and locate each other in a city. Reportedly, the vehicle can also detect and automatically avoid other moving vehicles and people in its path.

So when I read it this morning, I kept thinking "Hum... why does this look familiar?" I didn't think anymore about it till I read this blog and voila! There's the Disney connection!! It's those hover chairs in Wall-E!!

GM's announcement comes a day after Ohio State released a study that found 20 percent of preschoolers are obese. I know the mega-corporation lampooned in Disney's Wall-E was meant to be Walmart, but GM seems to be moving us a step closer to the Axiom Hover Chairs that make physical activity quaint.

:)

Zz.

Wall Street and Toy Retailers are Down on "Up"?

I will echo what was said in this article. I read it with "extreme irritation".

This news article describes how Wall Street and toy retailers are not that keen on the upcoming Disney-Pixar release of "Up".

Some industry watchers, a few of them still griping about the hefty $9 billion that Disney paid for Pixar in 2006, are fretting about the film’s commercial potential, particularly when it comes to benefiting other Disney businesses.

Richard Greenfield of Pali Research downgraded Disney shares to sell last month, citing a poor outlook for “Up” as a reason. “We doubt younger boys will be that excited by the main character,” he wrote, adding a complaint about the lack of a female lead.

My question is, how is his batting average when compared to Pixar?

Bob Iger had a dead-on response for such nonsense regarding the lack of franchise/merchandising ability of "Up":

Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive, responded, “We seek to make great films first. If a great film gives birth to a franchise, we are the first company to leverage such success. A check-the-boxes approach to creativity is more likely to result in blandness and failure.”

AMEN!

Considering how dumb Wall Street has been lately, I don't think they should be telling someone else how to do business. They somehow forgot that the reason for Pixar's sucess IS by going beyond business models and going after the creativity aspect of it, NOT by putting commercialization and merchandise aspect ahead of everything else.

How DUMB can you get and still not realize it?!

Zz.

Another Make-A-Wish Comes True

Another deserving kid going to Disney World sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

On Friday, Timothy celebrated with his classmates at Hephzibah Elementary School.

The fourth-grader's sarcoma is in remission, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation is fulfilling his wish to see Disney World and Mickey Mouse, his favorite Disney character.

I've mentioned this before, but I'll mention this again. If you can spare some cash, Make-A-Wish Foundation is such a worthy cause. It doesn't cure cancer or any other diseases, but the joy and happiness that these kids get, to do what they had wished for, is just precious.

Our group of pin traders here in the Chicagoland area, The Windy City Pin Traders (WCPT), periodically rally behind one of these Make-A-Wish kid and send them things like lanyards, pins, autograph books, etc. for them to take to a Disney theme park to do pin trading, get autographs, etc. It added to their experience and got them even more excited for their trip. Our latest effort, thanks to Patti, is a kid in Canada who, if things goes well, should either already be at WDW, or had come back. I think we got a lot of pins and lanyards not only for him, but for his siblings as well who were going with him.

We hope to continue with this effort.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

My #1 most favorite attraction in ALL of WDW!



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ShoWest Shows Big Sequels

The ShoWest Convention attendees in Las Vegas got to hear about several major sequels and movies coming in the next several months. Among them, of course, are the upcoming releases from Disney.

Two films that are being converted into 3-D are the Pixar classics "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2," which will be re-released for a special two-week double-feature run in October, whetting the public's appetite for next year's "Toy Story 3."

Zoradi also screened a few minutes of another animated classic that was chosen for the 3-D treatment, "The Beauty and the Beast," to be released in time for Valentine's Day 2010. Other 3-D clips screened included "Tron 2," the eye-popping sequel to the 1982 cult hit, and a series of shorts in advance of "Cars 2" called "Car Toons." The bespectacled audience was likewise enthralled by the first 47 minutes of Pixar's latest movie "Up" -- the first flick from that studio to make the leap to 3-D.

Here's another preview of "Up". I just can't wait for it to be here already.



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Random WDW Picture

No need to explain where this is from....



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More "I'm Going To Disney World!"

"Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, you're about to be indicted by the Grand Jury for corruption. What I you going to do now?"

"I'm going to Walt Disney World!"

The former and disgraced governor of Illinois is at WDW right now with his kids. Probably the kids are on Spring Break or something. The only thing that would complete this would be:

"Michael Vick, you've just been released from prison for animal abuse! What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to Walt Disney World!"

Just don't get too close to Pluto, Michael. That's my advice.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Early, foggy morning at The Magic Kingdom, waiting for the rope drop.



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