DizNews: Disney Tops Attendance, NFFC News and Math at Innoventions...Plus Great Links

Disney Still On Top for Attendance

2008 Themed Entertainment Association/Economics Research Associate's Attraction Attendance Report was released yesterday and Disney parks are still on top for 2008 attendance. This is good news in a year where theme park attendance was not great. However, it is noteworthy that the major economic downturn happened after the summer season for regional parks, so the biggies were the ones hit with the biggest effect of attendance downturn. Theme Park Insider and the writers of the report were in agreement that 2009 will probably prove to be a difficult season for theme parks across the board.

Theme Park Insider has the full report.


NFFC Name Change and Fall convention in December

NFFC (National Fan Fantasy Club) a group is Disneyana enthusiasts is about to get a name change and moving their annual convention. First, NFFC has changed their name to Disneyana Fan Club with the blessings of Disney. I think that this is great considering that NFFC always sounded like a Star Trek Convention to me (no offense to Trekkies just I didn’t think that name was descriptive enough). They have downsized and moved their annual convention from it’s usual October time slot to December 12, 2009 in Walt Disney World. The convention will take place at Regal Sun Resort, a Downtown Disney Hotel Resort. This takes over Mousefest’s time slot this year. The Disney Blog has the full press release.


Robotic Arm Featured in Innoventions

Math is coming to Innoventions...their newest exhibit, currently in development, is
The Sum of All Fears a kind of math themed make your own ride attraction. Guests will be able to design a motion simulator ride choosing between a jet, roller coaster, or bob sled. They will use physics and “a multi-touch surface table” to design their experience and then be able to ride their creation. In addition to this being an exciting addition to Innoventions, I think it’s particularly interesting that they are going to be using the KUKA Robotic arm for this exhibit. It was widely announced about a year ago that Universal had exclusive rights to this technology for the next 10 years (it was announced as one of the reasons Disney didn’t get the Harry Potter rights). Orlando Attractions Magazine has heard from Disney that there is no such agreement. Here’s a link the the article on the ride and agreement.


World Wide Disney:
Wonderful note to Mickey’s Grandparents


Beaker’s Ode to Joy nominated for a Webby


A first look at Pixar short: Partly Cloudy


Two New DisneyNature’s EARTH trailers


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 76 F.