Hidden Disney in Enchanted

Ooooh... I love this! It is almost like a Hidden Mickey hunt! :)

Someone has painstakingly listed all the hidden Disney references in Enchanted. There are at least, count 'em, 179 of them!!

Would I be such a dork if I printed this out? I can already see using this movie in a game where people will have to shout out the Disney references. Hey, maybe it could be a version of Scene It - The Enchanted Edition! :)

Zz.

AK Disney Cast Member Dies

Unfortunately, the worst scenario has come true. The Disney cast member who was struck by a ride vehicle while working at the Primeval Whirl attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, has died from her injuries.

This is never a good news from any angle. Condolences to her family and friends.

Obviously, Disney needs to see if they can do more to make sure no one gets into the prohibited area.

Zz.

Gore Verbinski Talks Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End DVD

This is a rather insightful interview with Gore Verbinski on the making of both the movie and DVD of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. The most interesting part of the interview, for me, is how and when they decided on the trilogy.

Could you talk about the development of this trilogy? Was it always in the back of your mind to have multiple films, or did the idea of the trilogy come about after the success of the first film? In which case, what were the challenges that the screenwriters faced, and what "guidelines" were they given?

Gore Verbinski: The first film was originally designed as a "one off." We were so under the radar because honestly I don't think anyone thought we could resurrect the genre. After the success of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl we set about reverse engineering a trilogy. Some loose ends from the first film became assets in the process: Bootstrap Bill for instance, the 'P' brand on Jack's arm, the mention of the East India Trading Company etc. other ideas like the Kraken and Davy Jones were discussed during the development of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl but abandoned as that film took shape, and resurrected for the subsequent films once we knew were making them. Yet whenever you set out to make a film, I think you have the obligation to create characters that feel as if they come from other stories -- even Pintel and Ragetti have their own origins and destinations. Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio are well versed in mythology and I enjoyed collaborating with them all the way up until each scene was photographed.

Certainly there were rather low expectations for the first movie, considering that the movie version of the Haunted Mansion didn't go anywhere. So when it opened and it was such a slam-bam fun movie, not to mention the swishy character that Johnny Depp had created, it certainly took everyone by surprise on how good it was.

Zz.

Disney Worker Injured on Ride Platform

Whoa! This doesn't sound too good.

A Disney cast member was injured at the Primeval Whirl attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The woman was working as a ride attendant and moved into an area on the ride platform that is prohibited while the ride is moving, Polak said. She fell and hit her head after being hit by the moving ride.

Oy! I wish these news reports would be a bit more specific, because this description doesn't make much sense. I know this ride pretty well. In fact, I even have a ride-through video of it. Normally, a "ride attendant" works the loading/unloading area. Here, the ride vehicles move VERY slow. So unless this cast member wondered around other parts of the ride, it would be rather difficult to get hit very hard by the vehicle at the loading/unloading area. So I wish the news report had been a bit more specific on where this person got hit.

Another news report has a bit more information. It appears that this woman was standing in an area that is off limits. I'm guessing that she stood too close to the tracks that are about head level. As the ride progresses, the tracks become lower and lower. So if she stood in an area close enough, a vehicle could hit her on the head.

Oy... what was she doing there in the first place?

The news report indicated from the cast member's family that she had taken a turn for the worse. We all hope that she recovers from this.

Zz.

Menken Makes Another Voyage to Disney World

This is an article by the Hollywood Reporter on the prolific songwriter Alan Menken. I think, personally, every time I see his name, I think of Disney music from the movies. This is because The Little Mermaid was such a turning point and a revival of Disney animation, and the music certainly played a huge role in the success of that movie.

I don't think that Disney can go wrong if they just give him a ton of money and ask him to write more music for them.

Zz.

Anaheim Housing Controversy Is Dead!

THANK GOODNESS!

Finally, we can hopefully put this silly episode to sleep forever. The Anaheim City Council has rescinded the vote to allow for the housing development within the Anaheim Resort District. This means no housing to be built on the piece of land next to a property owned by Disney.

The Disney Blog has a listing of several news sources carrying this story.

Zz.

Expedition: PINS

The registration for Expedition: PINS pin event on May 3rd, 2008 at Animal Kingdom has just opened today! The registration for this pin event is quite steep for a 1-day event when compared to the HUGE pin celebration event at Epcot in Sept. that takes place over 3 days. However, it seems that there's plenty that is included in the registration.

* One ticket for event admission to Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (Event Evening Only: 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.)
* First purchase opportunity for limited edition Expedition: PINS merchandise
* Limited edition, commemorative gifts including a full-sized, pin trading messenger bag
* Private dinner inside Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
* Appearances and signing opportunities with Disney Design Group Artists
* Silent auction of rare pins from the Disney Pin Vault
* Special surprises throughout the night

And yes, to answer your question, I've registered for it already! :)

Zz.

Disney Selling Parcels in Flamingo Crossings Project

I always cringe whenever I hear Disney selling its land in Orlando. A part of the selfish me wants WDW to remain BIG and has the potential to continue to expand FOREVER! (I know, it's unrealistic).

Well, Disney is going to sell parcels of land in its Flamingo Crossing project located at the Western Way entrance to WDW. It is believe that this is the first time 3rd party developer gets to buy such land within WDW and still remains under the Reedy Creek Development authority, which is the "government" set up by Disney.

That prospect creates a first chance for third-party owners to buy and develop land inside Reedy Creek. Disney has previously allowed numerous private developments of hotels, stores and restaurants within Reedy Creek, but always through long-term land leases that have kept the real-estate deeds in Disney's hands.

Flamingo Crossings is to be built in phases over eight to 10 years, the company said. Infrastructure construction could start this winter, and the first private hotels or shops could break ground in a year or two, Buena Vista spokeswoman Andrea Finger said.

So, the question that I would ask Disney is, why can't they develop this themselves? I mean, they have shown that they can do something similar to this at Downtown Disney? Why are they selling their lands and having others do this for them? Are they short of cash with that $10 billion rehab of DCA, and the money sieve that is Hong Kong Disneyland?

Please don't sell anymore of my beloved WDW!

Zz.

Enchanted Is A Franchise - Sequels On Their Way?

OK, I don't know how I missed this, especially since the news of it came out at least a couple of weeks ago. There's a report here that indicates that Disney was already planning on making Enchanted into a franchise, with a series of sequels already being planned, and waiting for how it does when it finally opens, which it has already.

The presenter, Diego Lerner of Disney, talked repeatedly about Enchanted being a franchise and sequels for the film and the fact that Disney is expecting it to be huge. Disney doesn’t confirm this officially yet (publicly at least), and it won't likely be until Enchanted opens in theaters and the box office earnings are counted, but it's certainly in the works. This is definitely not a rumor and Diego did speak of Enchanted as a strong franchise, which is especially exciting considering the early buzz.

Well now that it has made the big numbers during its opening weekend, the wheels for the sequels may already have turned.

Zz.

Dancing With The Star......... Wars

OK, this is hilarious. It's a clever spoof of Dancing With The Stars, but instead, you're Dancing With The Star Wars.

:)

Zz.

James Marsden on Prince Edward

This is an interesting article on James Marsden and how he played Prince Edward in Enchanted.

He was always written larger than life, a healthy ego but it all came from a place of innocence and sincerity so that, I think, lets his narcissism off the hook."

Actually, Edward could be the villain. You know she's going to end up with the mild mannered lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) who doesn't believe in romance. Edward is actually standing in their way.

The funniest moment, of course, came during the bicycle "ran-over". :)

Zz.

Disney’s Bolt Gets a 3-D Digital Release

Looks like Disney will be putting out a lot more movies in 3D. Bolt, which will be released in Nov. of 2008, will get the 3D treatment. Not sure if this is going to be exclusively in 3D, or will be done like Meet the Robinsons, where it was released in both 2D and 3D.

But Hannah Montana concert in 3D? Oy vey!

:)

Zz.

Enchanted Makes $50 Million

As if there was any doubt, Enchanted opened big at the Box Office, taking in $50 million since its opening last Wednesday.

"Enchanted" had the second-best five-day Thanksgiving debut ever, behind the $80.1 million haul of Disney's "Toy Story 2." Disney released all five of the top-grossing movie debuts over Thanksgiving, with "Unbreakable," "A Bug's Life" and "101 Dalmatians" trailing "Toy Story 2" and "Enchanted."

That's an impressive track record. Disney certainly owns the Thanksgiving weekend.

Zz.

Where In Walt Disney World?

Whoa! No one answered the last one! I thought it was rather easy. That picture, of course, was taken in the queue line of Tower of Terror at Disney-MGM Studios.

Maybe this one will be easier, but only if you've been there before. Where in Walt Disney World is this?



Zz.

JC Penney's Snowglobes Draw Them In

There are many people who want the Disney Snowglobes give out each year by JC Penney on Black Friday. So I'm not the only one who woke up very early to get these snowglobes and collect them.

The doors open, and shoppers stream in. Outside the store’s mall entrance, they file past folding tables where employees hand out free Disney snow globes. People love freebies, and they can’t wait to get one of these snow globes.

It’s one of the things that got Raelyn Berg of Springfield out of bed early. Second in line, she’s been here since 2:15 a.m. This is the sixth year she’s lined up to get a free snow globe.

“Am I nuts?” she asks. “It’s tradition. It starts the holiday season.”

Zz.

Could The Battle for the Anaheim Resort District Be Dead?

I can certainly hope so!

It appears that the collapse of the deal with SunCal and the owner of the piece of land that created such a firestorm may have killed the whole project. It is expected that this coming Tuesday night Anaheim City Council meeting may withdraw the zoning permission for building the housing project.

Plans for the housing project near Disneyland unraveled last month when the deal between SunCal Cos. and the owners of the 26-acre parcel near Disneyland fell through.

That news prompted Councilwoman Lucille Kring earlier this month to withdraw her support of the proposal. Kring cast the tiebreaking vote in a 3-2 decision seven months ago that approved the 1,500-unit project -- sparking three ballot initiatives, two lawsuits and regular City Hall protests.

I've mentioned this many times already. This whole thing is utterly stupid. No one seems to be addressing the question on why, in such a small area designated as the resort area, that this housing project must be built there. You need affordable housing, fine. Build it ELSEHWERE IN ANAHEIM. Why must you want your affordable housing be right next to where you work, and remove the possibility of your biggest money maker (Disney) from expanding and increasing the tax base of the city? It makes no sense!

This whole "affordable housing" thing is purely a smokescreen to build those luxury units in the most desirable location, and some of the Anaheim city council members fell for it. If they are truly so concerned about affordable housing, they would have scoured through their own city and figure out where such housing can be built. Don't tell me every square inch of Anaheim is already occupied or can't be rezoned.

One can only hope this silliness is dead for good, but I'm not holding my breath.

Zz.

Thanksgiving Box Office--The Disney Version

There already news on the box office numbers for Enchanted. It sounds like it got big numbers for both Wednesday and Thursday, and could go over $48 million for the 5-day holiday weekend.

I'm rooting for it to do very well. It's a glorious movie.

Zz.

Walt Disney Treasures - The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

It took a while, but that trade of Al Michaels to NBC in return for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is now finally producing a marketable product. Amazon is listing a Disney Treasures tin set of The Adventures of Oswald, to be released on December 11.

Strangely enough, the listing on the DVD has Steamboat Willie and Plane Crazy, both of which are Mickey Mouse cartoons (there's probably more, but I'm not sure). Are there not enough Oswald cartoons to fill a DVD?

Zz.

JC Penney's Disney Snowglobs 2007

So, anyone planning on waking up at 4:00 am tomorrow and getting those JC Penney Disney snowglobes? We certainly are! After all, we've been doing this for the past, or 5 years, since 2002. Can't stop now. Besides, how can one ignore all those terrific sales? :)

The things us Disney fanatics would do for free Disney souvenirs!

Zz.

Black Friday Bargain Stock: Disney

With the way the US stock market is taking a dive right now, many stocks, including Disney, gets dragged along with it. Motley Fool is looking at why Disney is currently severely undervalued and could be the biggest bargain of it all during the upcoming shopping frenzy.

Under that model, Disney should be worth almost $110 billion right now. That's $46 billion more than the going market price. Keep in mind that we used some relatively conservative numbers in these calculations, and you'll see why I think the current price is so unfair.

It is time to add more Disney stocks to one's portfolio!

Zz.