Saturday, February 28, 2009

Abraham Lincoln Returning To Disneyland

... at least the robotic Abraham Lincoln is.

The robotic Lincoln will be at Disneyland as part of a new attraction "The Disneyland Story, featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" to commemorate Lincoln's 200th birthday.

The attraction will reopen in celebration of the 200th anniversary year of Lincoln's birthday. The original show was created by Walt Disney and his staff for the State of Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair and featured the first fully animated, human audio-animatronics figure.


Hum... didn't know that. Man, that Walt Disney sure was busy back then doing a lot of stuff! :)

Zz.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Monsters Inc. 2 in the Works?

Oh, this is such a juicy piece of gossip! Disney Blue Sky is reporting that Pete Doctor is working on the sequel to Monsters Inc. Tentative release date: 2013.

Zz.

Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, Childhood and Corporate Power

That's a very mouthful title of the event being held at Harvard to view how Disney's movies have shaped children's view of the world they live in.

The documentary incorporated scenes from Disney classics like “The Little Mermaid,” “Peter Pan,” “Hercules,” and “Mulan,” and argued that they negatively shape children’s conceptualizations of race and gender beneath a guise of innocence and fantasy.

For instance, the documentary showed clips from “Aladdin,” “The Jungle Book,” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” contending that they contain highly sexualized representations of females, and that “Oliver Twist,” “Pocahontas,” and “Peter Pan” communicate stereotyped, white supremacist messages.


Of course, we ALL know that just because one can make a documentary does not necessarily translate into facts or valid evidence. If not, one would have to believe that Ben Stein was correct in his argument against evolution. It would have been nice if the news article actually also cited some research work that actually supported such contention. This is, after all, Harvard's newspaper. I should expect a higher level of intelligence and diligence in doing some background and supporting documents.

Alas, that's not to be.

Zz.

Disney Two-Fer: Blu-Rays and DVDs

This article looks at Disney effort in packaging many of their movies in a special edition that contains the Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital copies that can be played on either Windows Media Player or iPod.

It needed to for several reasons:

* The Mouse House realized that an increasing number of families were holding off on investing in Blu-ray until they owned the players; but they weren't buying as many DVDs either, knowing they'd eventually upgrade to Blu-ray.

* Households that did purchase Blu-ray movies also wanted the option to play the discs for their kids while on the road and most in-car entertainment systems don't support Blu-ray.

* Most computers and portable players don't play Blu-ray discs either, making watching a movie on the format while traveling impossible.


It makes A LOT of business sense! It certainly got me to buying such a version, even though I already have a Blu-Ray player.

Zz.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

WDW Restaurant Executive Will Take Buyout

After 21 years, Dieter Hannig, the WDW Vice President for food and beverage new concepts, will retire from Disney, taking the recently offered buyout for Disney executives. It will be a major departure of someone who has overseen the creation of some of my most favorite places to eat.

Hannig has overseen the development of dozens of new restaurants at Disney World over the years. Critics credited him for elevating the resort into a top dining destination in the early 1990s, when he began encouraging executive chefs at Disney restaurants to run their eateries as if they owned them.

The German-born chef said his fondest projects included developing the California Grill atop Disney's Contemporary Resort and creating the African-inspired Jiko and Boma in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

He has most recently been developing a third African restaurant, which will feature dishes infused with Indian flavors in the time-share addition Disney is building next to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The restaurant -- "Sanaa," which is Swahili for "work of art" -- is scheduled to open in mid-April.


We plan on dining at Sanaa this coming June. If this is as good as Boma and Jiko, then Hannig will have left a lasting legacy of classy and amazing restaurants at WDW.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Here's a picture I took a few years ago while we were doing the Segway Around The World at World Showcase.



It was a lot of fun!

Zz.

Disney Pin Celebration 2009

The Disney Pin Celebration 2009 - Museum of Pin-tiquities has opened registration yesterday. The website has also finally released the special pins for this event.

While I had rather low expectation for the pins this year and didn't plan on buying that much, I was quite surprised by the number of pins that I would like to get after looking at the pins list. This event is normally held in Sept. of each year, one week after Labor Day. However, they had to push the event this year several months ahead into the busy and hot month of June due to the one-in-a-lifetime 999 Haunted Mansion event at Disneyland that will be held on Sept. 9, 2009. So with all the rescheduling, I wasn't expecting them to put out too many pins that I would want. But surprisingly, I found quite a few (anything with Chip 'N Dale, and Donald Duck are almost automatic for us).

So yes, yours truly will be attending this event. And spending quite a bit of money too!

Zz.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Stitch Kingdom Blog

Thanks to Ralph for pointing this out to me.

This is an interesting blog full of news from Disney. In fact, Stitch Kingdom sounds almost as if it is Disney running its own blog! :)

Whoever is running it, it has a lot of news and stuff from Disney.

Zz.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Recession Is Slowing Down 3d Movie Expansion

There will be a large number of 3D movies being released this year. However, due to the recession, many movie theaters are slowing down or finding it difficult to finance the expensive conversion to the capability to screen these movies. This news article looks at the possible glut of such 3D movies, and not enough screens to show them.

This Friday, Walt Disney Co will release its new "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" in theatres equipped for 3-D. But that means Focus Features' "Coraline," which has been a 3-D hit, must cut its 3-D presence to some 300 screens, probably before it has played to all potential fans.


My first preference is always to see it in 3D. So I'm definitely up for "Up" in 3D, especially after all the sneak preview and glowing initial review. They'd better have a lot of theaters here in the Chicago area showing that in 3D or I won't be a happy camper.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

At the entrance of my most favorite theme park in all of WDW/DL



Zz.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Alas, It Wasn't Pixie Dust

Disneyland's ticket booths were temporarily closed for a few hours on Sunday when while authorities tried to analyze the white dust found at all the ticket booth counters.

Some guests entered Disneyland when the park opened at 8 a.m. (California Adventure was not yet open), Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said. But when the powder was found on more ticket booths, park officials decided to temporarily hold back all guests from the ticketing area until police could investigate the powder. The booths were shuttered at 8:45 a.m.


It turned out to be nothing more than fine sand. So it certainly wasn't Tink who was up to her old mischief again. It certainly created a lot of inconvenience (and waiting) for the guests that morning.

Zz.

Rumors of a Dallas-Area Disney Site Persist

This rumor appears to never want to die. It is the often-talked about possible Disney theme site somewhere in the Dallas area of Texas.

The Disney rumor pops up at least once every three months, he said, and people approach him at lunch with fresh Disney gossip. "Don't hold your breath."


Reading the whole news article, it isn't a rumor, but more like wishful thinking on the part of some people there, especially those with commercial properties. And they can certainly doubt Disney's official announcement as much as they want, but ultimately, it will be them who's left holding the bag. With the current economic climate and with Disney focusing aggressively on raising theme park attendance at both of its North American theme parks, I seriously doubt that they would want to build another theme park elsewhere in the US.

Zz.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Wall-E Won Animation Oscar

Wall-E just won the best animated movie Oscar at the Academy Awards. I am very happy!

Zz.

Wall-E Swept VES Awards

On the eve of the Academy Awards, Wall-E swept all the animation category award at the Visual Effects Society award ceremony.

Wall•E, the Pixar-Disney animated film, took all the animation awards, including outstanding animated character, outstanding effects animation and outstanding animation in an animated motion picture. The results give the film momentum going into Sunday’s Academy Awards, after being shut out last month at the Annie Awards.


Here's hoping Wall-E does very well tonight with the Oscars. It would be a good surprise if it wins the screenplay award.

Zz.

Friday, February 20, 2009

American Idol Experience at DHS

Disney Parks has released a couple of videos of the newly-opened American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios.





Zz.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Disney Reorganizes Theme Parks In Prelude To Job Cuts

It was bound to happen, but I wish it does not have to get to this point. Disney is reorganizing many parts of its operations, including its theme parks operations, in order to cut overheads and reduce costs. All of this in anticipation of a possible job cut to occur some time soon.

For our part, we are still planning on going to WDW twice this year, which is our normal habit. Nothing will change as far as we have planned.

Zz.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Forgotten Walt 1933 Interview

Wade Simpson over at MousePlanet has done a tremendous "community service" job by transcribing an interview of Walt Disney he found in a 1933 newspaper. It was done at the height of the popularity of "The Three Little Pigs" and so involved some description of the making of the film. Many of these quotes have never been attributed to Walt, so these are quite a revelation. For example, his attitude about the money he makes out of his movies is quite revealing of the type of person he is:

“I’m not interested in money, except for what I can do with it to advance my work. The idea of piling up a fortune for the sake of wealth seems silly to me. Work is the real adventure in life. Money is merely a means to make more work possible.


Zz.

WDW Offers Locals Discount Tickets

In an effort to get more of the local Florida residents to visit WDW, the theme park has offered local Florida residents 2 single-park admission for $99, which is about a third less than the walk-up price.

Not a bad idea to court the locals, especially if this is the segment that is very weak during this economic slowdown. Still, unlike the aggressive promotion being done to get the tourists, somehow this deal doesn't sound as enticing, especially when compared to the ones being done by Universal and Sea World. Would be interesting to hear how many of the local residents would view this as enticing enough to visit the theme parks.

Zz.

"Bolt" Tops UK Box Office

I often forget that many of the summer movies here in the US either haven't open, or just opened in many parts of the world. "Bolt" had its premier in the UK just this past weekend and bolted to #1 in the box office receipts.

So Disney is still reaping profits out of this movie, and will do so for months, even before counting DVD/Blu-Ray sales.

Zz.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

China Ice Festival Makes Room For Mickey

If there's any question about Disney's brand name recognition in China, this should be ample evidence to settle that issue.

It appears that this year, the yearly ice festival in the city of Harbin in China has decided to change the ice creations from before. This time, they have been replaced with Disney characters and Disney themes.

What is perhaps the world’s most famous ice festival has become another of the world’s Disney theme parks, with a Disney licensing company taking over operations from the local Communist government. It is the first time a private company has run the ice festival.

Snow White has replaced snow dragons. Children wander through the frozen hallways of Aladdin’s Castle instead of a Qing dynasty palace. “It’s a Small World” plays in one corner of the park. (What better theme music for globalization?)

“It was too stodgy,” Qi Juwei, 51, the organizer of this year’s event, said of the old festival. “You can’t keep putting the same light in the same block of ice.”


Disney also gets the free publicity since they don't run it, but had a hand in approving the various ice sculptures.

Zz.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Mickey Mouse Mural

Holy Mouse Ears! I want a room like that!

This is one lucky boy to get a dad that dedicated to making such a mural for his son's room.

Hum... I just thought of something. What if they move?

Zz.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

More Official Trailers - Splash Mountain and Soarin'

So we have Official Trailers for the BTMRR and TSM. Now Disney had released two more Official Trailers. This time they are for Splash Mountain and Soarin'.





Even if they don't show the full video, I wish the Soarin's trailer is longer. I love that attraction, and getting to see some of the scenes with the music just makes me want to go back soon.

Zz.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Can "Wall-E" Make Oscar History?

This is a great article on the Oscar possibility for Wall-E, despite it's astounding loss to "Kung Fu Panda" at the Annie awards.

Can Wall-E pull of an unexpected win in the original screenplay category? We shall see....

Zz.

Official Trailers

OK, we had the official overviews of the WDW theme parks and water parks. Now comes videos of "Official Trailers" involving various attractions at WDW. The trailers in the videos here are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Toy Story Mania.





Wonder what's coming up next?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Serious Side of "Up"

USA Today has an advanced "evaluation" of "Up", and the risk that Pixar is taking with this movie.

The montage of their marriage touches on themes rarely seen in bedtime storybooks: romance, financial hardship, a lost pregnancy, loneliness and the blink-of-an-eye passage from childhood to wrinkles.


it's been said more than a few times in the various advance review of this movie that "Up" has a lot more grown-up issues than other Pixar movies. Good for them! As expected, Pixar never settle for any formula, and continues to challenge themselves creatively. No one says that there can't be an adult-themed animation movie.

I am really, really looking forward to see this now.

Zz.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

More "Official Overview" Videos

Disney Parks had earlier released the "Official Overview" videos of The Magic Kingdom and Epcot. They have now released 4 more of these videos: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney's Blizzard Beach.









Zz.

MIT 'Tofu' Robot Mimics Disney Cartoons

Eeewwww... couldn't they make a less scary-looking robot at least?

The new bot, called TOFU due to its stretchy and bouncy actions, was based on animation techniques from Disney's 2D cartoons from the 1950s. If you remember the cartoons of the time, you'll notice that the "squash and stretch," "secondary motions," and eye rolls shown by the robot are quite accurate. According to the robot's creator, this type of motion is usually not used in other bots.


But Disney cartoons do not look this ugly! :)

Zz.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Mouse Phone Totally Disregards Trademark and Copyright

OK, this is a trademark lawsuit waiting to happen.

Some bozos made a phone that is unmistakably resembling Mickey Mouse head, and even slapped a Disney logo on it. According to Endgaget, the manufacturer does not have any approval from Disney.

That's smart! Doesn't everyone know already not to mess with the Mouse?

Zz.

Disney's Doorway To Dreams Store To Open in NYC Area

After opening the first Disney's Doorway To Dreams DVC preview center in the Chicagoland area, a second such center will be opening in the New York City/Long Island area. It will be situated at the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island. This is a similar location for the Chicago preview center where it is situated at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumberg.

Zz.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Random WDW Picture

Sadly, we don't get to see this anymore since Disney eliminated dinning with characters at the Liberty Tree Tavern.



Zz.

I Need to Go Potty Right Now! A Guide to Disney World Bathrooms

Oh crap! I've been scooped! {There are puns in there somewhere, but I'll let you figure them out}.

I've always wanted to do a "guide" to WDW bathrooms, and recommend the ones that I think are very convenient and not as crowded. Although this article doesn't actually do that, it is still on a topic that is rather "close to my heart" and bowels. :)

So maybe this is a good impetus for me to get my act together and do my WDW bathroom recommendations soon.

Zz.

Raytheon to Launch 'The Sum of All Thrills' at Epcot in 2009

More educational interactions to be opened at Epcot this year. Here's part of the press release:

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 9, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) plans to unveil an interactive, math-based experience called "The Sum of All Thrills" at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The exhibit, set to open fall 2009, will engage children through a fun and educational experience that helps instill a lifelong passion for math, science and technology.

"The Sum of All Thrills" will be a core component of Raytheon's MathMovesU program, an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science, and help create the next generation of innovators for the U.S. It will be located in the INNOVENTIONS pavilion at Epcot, a unique area of the park that contains 100,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to celebrate the inspiration and innovation that improve their lives and expand their horizons.

"Raytheon is working to foster young students' interest and success in math and science, two of the primary fundamentals on which American competitiveness has been built," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO and 2009 MATHCOUNTS honorary chairman. "Raytheon shares The Walt Disney Company's commitment to innovation and education through imagination. We're proud to offer INNOVENTIONS visitors a unique experience that combines all of these attributes and that seeks to unlock the math and science potential within every student."

In addition to the experience at INNOVENTIONS, Raytheon will be supporting another 2009 initiative at the Walt Disney World Resort - the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition. Taking place May 7-10, 2009, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, the competition is the culmination of an enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. Raytheon is the title sponsor of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition for the next three years, through 2011.


I have always admire the Walt Disney Company with this endeavor. First of all, it is NOT easy, and not always popular, to include anything educational in a place where people, especially kids, go on a vacation. For many people, the last thing they want to do is "learn" something while on a vacation. But with Epcot's mission of trying to at least carry out some of Walt's initial vision for the theme park, the Disney Company at least continues to provide such platform, especially in the Innoventions pavilions. That has to be commended.

So parents, if you want a few minutes to rest and sit down while your kids run around and actually get to learn something, please visit Innoventions at Epcot. Your kids will learn something valuable without knowing it, and you get a breather.

Zz.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Initial Coverage of Disney/Pixar's "Up"

WARNING - the review in the link may contain spoilers. Do not read beyond where the author said you shouldn't if you do not want to know more that could possibly spoil the surprise.

"Up" was given several previews to the audience at New York Comic Con (wasn't this when they also previewed TR2N last year?). And it appears that my salivating after I saw a trailer of it before Wall-E this year was fully justified based on what I've read.

Beyond that, my advice is that you should do yourself a solid and stop reading when you hit the silly photo coming up. Just go buy your tickets when the movie opens up on May 29, 2009. If any movie studio on Earth has earned the right to market a movie by just saying, "Trust us," it's Pixar, and from the footage I've seen, Up is not going to be the movie that breaks their streak. When a movie can manage to make you cry less than 10 minutes after the lights go down, and then make you laugh uproariously less than 10 minutes after that, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might as well just get it over with and pre-announce Up as one of the nominees for Best Animated Film of 2009 right now.


I believe! I believe! And I'll buy!!

Zz.

Disney Park's "It's A Small World" Video

Here's the Disney Parks official video of the reopening of "It's A Small World".



It covers a bit of the history of the attraction. Of course, it doesn't address the controversy surrounding the new additions.

There is also a "It's A Small World" sing-along video, in case the tune didn't get stuck into your head after you viewed that first video.



Enjoy!

Zz.

Ed Catmull Receives Lifetime Achievement Oscar

At the Academy Awards for the technical section, Ed Catmull receives his lifetime award for his contribution to movie animation.

Attendees yelled and stood for Catmull, president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, as he accepted an Oscar statuette Saturday night for a lifetime of work in computer animation. He said he was inspired by early Disney films "Peter Pan" and "Pinnochio," then name-dropped collaborators George Lucas, Steve Jobs and Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter.


Too bad they don't televise this award show. It can't be any more boring than the one they show, and I bet it moves a lot faster as well without all the song-and-dance pony show.

Zz.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Disney’s Magic Makers: Wolfgang Reitherman

Whoa! I don't know when this started or how I could have missed it, but Netcot.com is doing a profile on Disney's "Nine Old Men". Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, and Les Clark have already been covered (you can click on the link in the article to read their profile). The one on Wolfgang Reitherman has just been published.

It's a great summary of the lives and contribution by these influential men who have directly shaped the Disney company into what it is today.

Zz.

Long-Term Monitoring of Social Behavior in a Grouping of Six Female Tigers

Hey, I haven't highlighted any recent scholarly work that came out of Disney lately, which is the one thing that I try to do often on here. So here's one that came out of researchers from Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Long-term monitoring of social behavior in a grouping of six female tigers (Panthera tigris)

Angela Miller, Christopher W. Kuhar
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Zoo Biology
Volume 27 Issue 2, Pages 89 - 99 (2007)

Abstract: Although literature on the reproduction of captive tigers is plentiful, there is little information on other social behaviors, particularly within large social groupings. Here we report on the long-term monitoring of social behaviors in six female tigers (Panthera tigris). Over a period of 6 years, behavioral data were collected on spraying, vocalizations, non-contact aggression, and contact aggression during outdoor observations, as well as nearest neighbors in the morning, as a proxy measure of affiliation. Regression analyses showed that non-contact aggression and vocalizing were increasing, whereas spraying and social proximity were decreasing over the 6 years of the study. Paired t-tests showed no seasonal differences in aggression, but animals had higher social proximity scores during the mornings of the colder winter months. Correlations showed that spraying was positively related to contact aggression whereas social proximity was negatively correlated with non-contact aggression. In addition to documenting levels of contact and non-contact aggression over time, this study showed these behaviors correlated with behaviors that were more easily scored (spraying and social proximity). Behavioral monitoring has played a key role in the management and husbandry of this large social grouping of female tigers. In addition to providing keepers with the opportunity to observe their animals in regularly scheduled sessions, behavioral monitoring has provided baseline information on social relationships in this grouping over time. If future research validates the relationship between aggression and spraying/social proximity, this can be a valuable tool for long-term monitoring of groups of tigers.

Again, what theme parks would consistently produce scholarly works that get published in scientific journals?

Zz.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Reopening of Disneyland's "It's A Small World"

Laughing Place has an extensive coverage of the reopening of Disneyland's "It's A Small World", including tons of pictures and a ride-through video. You can't get a more extensive coverage than this. I have included the ride video here.



So now, let the fallout begins!

Zz.

DreamWorks Sets To Move To Disney?

Whoa! This is certainly a stunning piece of news. DreamWorks is in talks with Disney for a distribution deal after failing to reach an agreement to stay with Universal.

DreamWorks SKG, Mr. Spielberg’s boutique production company, is in advanced talks on a deal to distribute its movies through Disney, according to four people with knowledge of the talks but who asked for anonymity because negotiations are not complete. A deal with Disney, which could come as soon as Friday, would replace one Mr. Spielberg arranged with Universal Pictures just four months ago after an acrimonious divorce from Paramount Pictures.


It certainly would be a coup for Disney if this comes through.

Zz.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Official Overview of The Magic Kingdom and Epcot

Disney seems to have released two promotional videos of The Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

The Magic Kingdom


Epcot


I'm expecting videos of DHS and DAK to be up next.

Zz.

Seven Secrets About Disneyland

Well, more like "trivia" than secrets, but still, it's a good list to know if you're a die-hard Disney freak... er... fan, I mean! I certainly didn't know anything about the drawbridge at Sleeping Beauty castle.

Zz.

Fact Meets Fantasy in Disney 'Small World' Remake

As "It's A Small World" about to reopen (today) in Disneyland, the controversy continues on the nature of the rehabbed attraction.

I don't think there's anything else left to be said regarding this that hasn't been said already on here and many other blogs and news reports. So let's just sit back, and look at what has been done, and THEN, judge it for what it is now.

Personally, I can't wait to see the new version, because trying to spot where they inserted the Disney characters would be like looking for the hidden mickey. But that's just me.

Zz.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Disney To Launch World of Cars

Man, I tell ya. That "Cars" franchise seems to be going on and on.... It's amazing how much legs that movie has in terms of merchandise and following. And to think that a well-known online Disney "expert" said that "Cars" is a disappointment after it "only" took in around $200 million domestically.

Now Disney had announced that "World of Cars" online will be launched some time this summer.

Players will be able to take an amazing ride into a wacky world full of fun and adventure by designing their own car, becoming a racing legend, making new friends, and playing mini-games with Lightning McQueen and the rest of the cast.


If I didn't know any better, I'd say that this is Virtual Magic Kingdom with wheels.

Zz.

Disney Profits Drop 32%

The weak economy is truly catching up with Disney's business. The company reports a drop of 32% in profit for the last quarter, with weak business in its theme park, movies, and TV division.

Iger said the recession had hurt all of Disney's businesses in the three months to Dec. 27, from its theme parks to its broadcast networks.

Net income fell to $845 million, or 45 cents a share. In the same period a year earlier Disney earned $1.25 billion, or 63 cents a share.

Revenue fell 8% to $9.60 billion.


As a minor Disney stockholder, I am not surprised. I just want the company to not make any dumb moves to ride out this tough period. The fact that they are still making a profit and giving out dividends is good enough for me when compared to the banking and auto industry. There's also reason to be slightly optimistic. With all the aggressive promotion that Disney has been running for its theme parks, it appears that booking for the next 2 quarters is running ahead of last year.

Edit: look at how much money Time-Warner lost in its 4th Quarter! Compare to that, The Walt Disney Company is doing exceptionally well!

Zz.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

"It's A Small World" Sneak Peak For Disneyland AP Holders

Disneyland Annual Passholder will get a chance to get a sneak peak at the highly-anticipated reopening of "It's A Small World" at Disneyland after months of refurbishment, speculation, and controversy. It is set to reopen on Feb. 6, but AP holders will get a chance to ride it on Feb. 5.

Take lots of pictures and tell me what you think!

Zz.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Exclusive Scene From Disney's Space Buddies- "Walk On The Moon"

Here's a scene from "Space Buddies".



Cute dogs seems to rule the movies lately.

Zz.

Why Did Bruce Springsteen Say ‘I’m Going To Disneyland’ After Super Bowl Performance?

I have no idea either, since I didn't watch the Superbowl last time (probably one of only 5 in the country who didn't). But it appears that his uttering of the phrase itself is causing a lot of people in the blogsphere to make many speculation and producing more questions than answers. MTV Newsroom has a possible sensible take on this.

"The View" Is Heading To Los Angeles

The often-combustible show "The View" will be taping from the Disney Studios lot in Burbank, CA in early March. But they are not just going to be taping there, but also to explore a little bit of their location, especially considering that they are close enough to the "Mother Ship" and the company that owns them.

Geddie also plans to devote a lot of time to exploring the Disney studio's history, especially in animation. While past visits to various cities have been pretty much the same show in a different venue, "this is going to be a little different because we're really going to make use of our environment," he said.

The idea for filming on the lot came when Geddie accompanied Walters to Burbank to pick up a corporate award called the Disney Legend. "I honestly had no idea what a Disney Legend was until she got it," he said. "And I saw the Legends Plaza, and I said, 'This is a nice area to do a talk show.' "


Wait, they don't make employees at other Disney-owned company take the "Traditions" classes? :)

Zz.

Tips On Spending Less Time In Line At Animal Kingdom

This trip tip has a few sensible suggestions on how to minimize all that wait time in line at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Certainly, depending on how busy of a time of the year you are there, doing Expedition Everest early on, or getting the Fast Passes early is definitely a sensible thing to do. It is the most popular attraction at DAK.

Check out all the other trip tips for the Magic Kingdom and Epcot that are linked in the article.

Zz.