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.

DizNews: VP Leaves, Paradiso 37 and BBB Opens at Disneyland

Conservation VP Leaves Disney

Jerry Montgomery, the vice president of conservation and sustainability, has announced that he has agreed to take the buyout offered to Disney executives. Mr. Montgomery has spent the last 30 years working for Disney. He started out working at Fort Wilderness Campground.


Paradiso 37

A new restaurant will be opening next month at Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney. Paradiso 37 will feature food from 37 countries in north, south and central America. The restaurant, developed by E-Brands Restaurant Group will feature live entertainment each night and an extensive wine list, 37 kinds of tequila and 10 different margaritas.


Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Opens in Disneyland

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has expanded to the left coast, and now your little one can be made up like a princess in Disneyland. The salon, located next to the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, will open this Friday April 17th. Packages start at $12.95 for boys and $44.95 for girls. For reservations and info. go to www.disneyland.com/style.



World Wide Disney: Main Street Gazette has a great piece on the simple joys of
Disney World.


WDW Weather: Rainy and T-showers. High of 76 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 65 F.

Hannah #1, Characters in Flight, ABC Wraps Shows Up and Picnics at the AK!

Sorry for not posting at the end of last week. I was not feeling great. I will try to catch us up today.


Hannah Montana #1 at Box Office

Hannah Montana’s new movie: Hannah Montana: The Movie grossed $34 million this weekend earning both the top box office spot and double what Disney expected. They are already predicting a sequel.


Characters in Flight..sort of

Characters in Flight, the balloon ride over Downtown Disney, has been operating intermittently due to inclement weather, the balloon does not do well in the wind. You can see pictures of it flying here.


ABC ends the stories...

Of several of it’s prime time shows in the coming weeks. If you are a fan of Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money or Eli Stone see this article from The Disney Blog. It has the air dates and times for the final episodes.


Animal Kingdom Picnics...

Animal Kingdom is offering a new dining option for guests at their park: a picnic! You can pre-order a picnic lunch at guest relations (prices range from $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.) There are reportedly 14 designated “picnic areas” around the parks to choose from. I haven't been able to find out where these areas are but will pass along the info once I find it.



World Wide Disney:
BlueSkyDisney has Rumors galore about the Fourth Pirates Feature


Interesting official Disney article on Imagineering the Yeti


Another official article on the use of technology in the parks


Picture Post by Jack Spence on the tributes Imagineers leave to rides replaced by others


WDW Weather: Rainy. High of 86 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 72 F.

Poly Fan Site Needs Good Home, Sanaa Menu Controversy and IMAX at Downtown Disney?

Poly Fan Site Seeks Home

Boing Boing has an article up seeking a new home for Tikiman’s Polynesian Resort Pages. This is a few days old, (sorry sometimes things get lost in my RSS Reader) but perhaps someone is looking to host a site? Here the link.


Sanaa Not Without Controversy

Disney’s newest culinary offering: Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s menu is causing a bit of controversy (who doesn’t love a little bit of controversy?). The Indian Restaurant is featuring pork and beef on the menu. This is controversial as most Indian’s do not consume pork or beef (cows are sacred and pigs generally seen to be unclean). This is not the first time Disney has caused controversy with what they were offering to serve, Restaurant Marakesh serves alcohol, which is a forbidden drink in Muslim countries. Go here to peek at the menus.
Sanaa opens May 1, 2009 at the DVC Kidani Village part of the resort.


Virgin Megastore to Reincarnate as IMAX?

Several sites are reporting today that there is a possibility that AMC Theaters will take over the space being vacated by the Virgin Mega Store at Downtown Disney and turn it into an IMAX theater. WDWMagic.com is additionally speculating that it won’t be the Virgin Mega Store space but several of AMCs existing theaters that will be redone to create an IMAX space. It has always seemed odd to me that there were so many movie theaters in DTD. Do you go to the movies on your vacation?



World Wide Disney:
Concept art for Journey into the Center of the Earth at Tokyo DisneySea. I want to go there!!!

Really interesting article over at the BlueParrot about Big Figs and their collectibility.

WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 63 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 67 F.

DizNews: Layoffs and Tables in Wonderland

Monday - Daily Dose of Disney 4.6.09


The Skinny on the Layoffs...
All told, according to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney’s layoffs reportedly total 1,900, including 1,400 in Orlando. What does this mean financially? Who was cut, or rather what positions, make no sense to me but I am not running the company. Our friend Michael, over at All Things Disney has a great article on just that.


Tables in Wonderland

Members of the “Tables in Wonderland” Disney Dining Experience program rejoice! The next event has been announced. It will take place at the new The Wave restaurant at the Contemporary Hotel on April 16th (not much planning time!). 50 lucky guests will have the privilege of trying out a selection of Florida Seafood. The cost of the event is $92 per person. Go here for reservation info or to just salivate over the menu.


World Wide Disney: My Disney Blog details Disney Store’s Earth Day Celebrations


WDW Weather: Rainy. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 77 F.

Iger on Online Content

DizNews: Iger on Online Content

Really interesting press release about Bob Iger, Disney CEO this morning. Iger, when speaking at a cable industry, warned about charging too much for online content. I thought that this was particularly interesting given the direction, until the last few days, that I saw Disney’s online stuff going: pay-per-view or paid subscription. Iger said, "The consumer is king, not us the content provider and not you the distributor." "Preventing people from watching any shows online, unless they subscribe to some multichannel service, could be viewed as both anti-consumer and anti-technology, and would be something we would find difficult to embrace," he said.

My curiosity is peeked. I suspect that this means Disney has hard data stating that while we are happy to “pay” through watching advertising, most of us are unwilling to pay additional fees for online content. I read a few weeks back that their online subscription Pirates of the Caribbean Multi Player Game was struggling and I wonder as well about Club Penguin and other paid kids content. What do you all think? Are you willing to pay additional fees for online viewing of cable content? It seems with all the news these days about online content that Disney is casting it’s nets wide to see where the consumer chips fall as far as where the revenue is for online content. Disney has expanded it’s iTunes offerings, numerous YouTube channels, their own extensive online site and others in development. As a firm believer that in a day in the not very distant future your computer and television will be the same machine, I think that this is a wise marketing/business strategy.


World Wide Disney: Princess Fee’s detailed photos of the Pirates of the Caribbean themed rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort.


WDW Weather: Rainy Thundershowers. High of 83 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 65 F.

Bugs 2

Bugs 2

It’s a quiet news day today but I will pass along this little bit that I gathered...

It looks like Pixar is poised to make Bug’s Life 2 with a tentative release in winter 2013. The story reportedly surrounds the ant’s island being washed away and them needed to rebuild. Darla Anderson is reportedly directing. We’ll have to see if this is fact but the numerous sites reporting it seem to be reliable.


World Wide Disney: http://ocresort.freedomblogging.com/2009/04/01/video-get-a-taste-of-celebrate-street-parade/7221/

Video of Disneyland’s new Celebrate Parade.


WDW Weather: Rainy. High of 86 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 68 F.

YouTube, Wonder in LA, Characters take Flight...

Disney, ABC and ESPN YouTube Deal

Disney, ABC and ESPN have signed a deal with Google's YouTube to provide short form (read not full length movies, shows or games) to YouTube. Reportedly the videos will have ads attached. Disney reports that they are researching ways of monetizing online content. CBS has a similar deal with YouTube but they allow full episodes of their shows. From what I am reading, this does not replace any deal that Disney may be developing with Hulu. I'll keep you posted.


Wonder to Make LA Home

The Disney Wonder is going to make LA home. Disney has announced that half of it's current cruise fleet will be moving to the west coast. This will be a two year contract with an option to extend it three more. The ship will not move west until 2011 (after the newest DCL: the Disney Dream ship is sailing). Disney is not releasing cruise itineraries yet but hinted at ports along the Baja Coast.


Ready for Take Off...

Characters in Flight will take off this week from Downtown Disney. While I'm not sure that I "get" this ride it sure is pretty...


World Wide Disney: Video of Roy and Edna Disney's Wedding.


WDW Weather: Rainy. High of 83 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 70 F.

Sesame Special, Nemo Accredited, Free Dining and a RUMOR...

DizNews:

Sesame Street Talks about Coming Home

This is not strictly Disney but I think worth writing about none the less, Sesame Street presents Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change will be aired in prime-time on Wednesday April 1 during prime time (check your local PBS listings). The 30 minute special features Queen Latifa and John Mayer. The goal of this special is to address some of the issues that military families face particularly with loved ones returning home from the wars. This is a topic near and dear to my heart, and this is very well done. Families wishing to watch it again should know that it is a free download on iTunes.


Kudos to Nemo...

The Seas with Nemo and Friends has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This is an extensive process showing that you provide the highest quality of care for the animals while presenting opportunities for families to learn about wildlife and conservation.


Free Dining for All

As reported on Friday, Disney has extended their free dining plan to all guests. WDWinfo has all the codes you’ll need: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneypackages.htm#freedining


Rumor...

It has been all over the web this weekend so I am hoping that there is some truth to the news that Disney is in talks with Hulu to present Disney content free on the web. For those of you not familiar with Hulu.com, it is a free and legal site to watch television shows streaming live on the web. For those of us without cable or TiVo this is the next best thing, on demand TV. The site features hundreds of movies and many TV shows both oldies and brand new shows (primarily from Fox and NBC). The site is free for users and there are commercials (about 5 - 30 second commercials in a one hour episode of TV). Disney is seeing this as a way to feature content and springboard users to paid content. My hope is that Disney offers more things free or for limited time on Hulu. Only time will tell.



World Wide Disney: The Disney Blog has great photos of the highlights of the Flower and Garden Show at Epcot



WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 74 F.

DizNews: Rhino LIVE, TSM - Wii, Depressing News, Free Dining and Totally UnDisney Related

Rhino LIVE

Rhino the Hamster may be appearing LIVE on your favorite television entertainment show this weekend, think Turtle Talk with Crush. As part of the Living Character Initiative, Disney will have this character pose for interviews, junket style, talking with your favorite TV hosts. Sorry, I don’t have more specifics on which shows and when. I will keep an eye out for video of this online.


TSM - Wii

Not getting to a Disney park anytime soon? Disney is bringing one of their newest attractions to your living room. Toy Story Mania will be released for Nintendo Wii this fall. The game will feature the original “galleries” from California Adventure and Hollywood Studios in addition to new constructed just for the game. There will be 3D features and game play for multiple levels/abilities of players.


Depressing But...

I promise not to end of this note for the weekend but Disney is laying off employees. A sign of the times, as we all know at this point. While the numbers are not official, Disney is refusing to release how many have been let go, most websites are reporting somewhere around 450 layoffs in Florida (I haven’t been able to find a figure for California but here’s a link to an article with what details Disney is offering). One clear Disneyland casualty is the Yamabuki restaurant at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The entire restaurant will close April 11. While some positions reportedly eliminated are guest service management (think hotels, cruiseline and DVC) most are cast members who work back stage as managers. Severance packages are reported to include one weeks pay for each year of service, and the ability to purchase company health insurance at current rates. While job cuts reportedly began three weeks ago this seems to be the big week for layoffs.


Free Dining Announced

Free Dining for Walt Disney World has again been announced for this year. The dates are August 16 through October 3, 2009. Travel must bee booked by June 21, 2009. See our Current Discounts section for links and details.


Totally UnDisney Related...

For those of you who are just theme parks geeks, Theme Park Insider, is holding their annual Best Ride In America Tournament. Think March Madness for theme park attractions. Go here to vote.


World Wide Disney: I unfortunately, did not see last night’s 30 Rock but The Muppet Newsflash has video (full episode can be found on Hulu.com) of the episode that pay’s homage to the Muppets.

A continuation on Jack Spence’s pictorial on Disneyland Paris, this one has three parts starting here, on Discoveryland (think Tomorrowland) at the parks.


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 76 F.

Characters in Flight, Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, Disneynature's Earth and D23

Characters in Flight over Downtown Disney

The newest attraction at Downtown Disney is the Characters in Flight is about to take off. This attraction takes off every 10 minutes from behind Bongos restaurant. A ride on this balloon will cost you $16.00 for an adult, and $10.00 for children ages 3 - 9. What do you think about this attraction? Click here for pictures.



Epcot Flower and Garden: Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden

Tinkerbelle and friends were on hand to open up one of Epcot’s main attractions for this year’s Flower and Garden Festival: Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden. A themed garden based on Tinkerbelle and her forest friends. This is not just a garden but a themed play area for your little ones. Two of the offerings are the Tinker’s Nook Workshop with hands on activities and everyday at 2pm kiddos can dress as their favorite fairy and participate in the Fairy and Princess Processional through the garden. Pictures from the grand opening can be found at the following: link.


Watch the Movie Save the World...

If you go and see Disneynature’s first offering: Earth opening weekend, you not only will presumably see a wonderful documentary but also you will make a small effort toward saving the planet. Disney has promised to plant one tree for every patron who goes to see the movie in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Only 7% of this rainforest still is in existence and has been designated by Disney’s environmental folk as a “hotspot”. Earth opens on Earth Day, April 22.


D23 Update:

Many of you have written to me or to the DisNewsPlus group about D23 - The Official Fan Community. Given the interest of our members I thought I would pass along more information as I have come across it. Generally, it seems that the online Disney fans are split as to whether they think this is a good thing or worth the money in this economy. If you are still on the fence, here is some detailed information from good friend of the Dose, Ricky Brigante:
First up: the special gift is a lithograph. In the past the special gifts have ranged from a computer/briefcase thing and luggage tag for the Magic Kingdom Club to a limited edition figurine for the Walt Disney Collection. Here are photos.


Finally, here is what the membership packet and card looks like.


Whoops!! - I reported yesterday that the Liberty Tree Inn would have the characters return around Easter time. I am now hearing that the characters will not return until September. We'll keep you posted as information is announced.


World Wide Disney:
Disney and More’s Horizon’s Tribute


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 76 F.

DizNews: Cat Cora Restaurant, Liberty Tree has Character, UP and Tren-D

Daily Dose of Disney 3.24.09


Cat Cora at Disney World

Cat Cora is opening a restaurant on Disney property. The old Spoodles, I really liked this place, which is located at the Boardwalk just outside Epcot. The restaurant will feature Mediterranean cuisine and will be called Kouzzina.


Character Dining returns to Liberty Tree

The Liberty Tree one of only a few sit down restaurants in the Magic Kingdom, stopped having a character dining experience in January. Since then bookings have been down by a lot so Disney is turning back the clock. You can start to see the characters return around Easter.


Up Opens Cannes

Pixar’s newest offering, UP is going to open the Cannes Film Festival this year. This is the first time an animated film has ever been chosen to open the festival. It will be shown on May 13th and open in the US on May 29th.


New Downtown Disney Store

Tren-D is a new store opening at Downtown Disney in Disney World. The store is located in the Marketplace section of the shopping complex. You can see pictures here.



World Wide Disney:
Jack Spence’s multi part photo essay of Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris. This is a link to Part I

Current Discounts:
MouseSavers
MouseMisers Room Only
MouseMisers Packages
Disney Cruiseline Military Discounts via WDWinfo.com


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 77 F.

DizNews: Disney’s Green Policy....

Daily Dose of Disney 3.19.09

Disney released it’s Community Report last week, which contains all of the information about their efforts to go green along with goals for charitable giving, nutrition and diversity. For our purposes I just wanted to shed a little light on the policies as they made quite a splash across the web. First is the OC Register’s detailing of what exactly is in the report. A few highlights are:

Disney wants to create zero waste by reducing electricity and fuel usage.

“Have zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions from fuels”

“Reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption”


What I found particularly interesting is how far reaching this news went on the web, not just in Disney circles, and here are a few examples:

A report from a green blogger on how far they have to go.

Treehugger: one of the largest sites on world wide green efforts.

Here are two of the major Disney Community reactions:
AllEars

The Disney Blog

What do you think? For my part, I think that these are some lofty goals but also I think that they are worthy of striving for. Let’s hope Disney is able to make some of them happen. It is also nice to see a major corporation striving in this area when they are struggling financially. It’s nice to see a little corporate conscience.


World Wide Disney:
“Official” Haunted Mansion Trailer for WDW

Celebrate video: for loves looking for something to celebrate at the parks.


Current Discounts:
MouseSavers
MouseMisers Room Only
MouseMisers Packages
Disney Cruiseline Military Discounts via WDWinfo.com


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 76 F.

DizNews: Disney Themed Rooms, 50 of 619 and New Cruise Ships

Daily Dose of Disney 3.18.09


KB Homes sells Disney themed bedrooms

People buying a new home from KB Homes can customize the kids’ rooms with Disney themes. Rooms available are themed to Pooh, Hannah Montana, Cars, or Princesses. I have to admit I’m not that impressed, they look like something you could easily do yourself shopping at your local big box store, but perhaps there is a market out there for these. What do you think?
http://thedisneyblog.com/2009/03/14/disney-dream-rooms-kb-home-hopes-theyll-help-sell-you-a-house/


The Economy: Only 50 out of 619

Bob Iger, Disney CEO, announced at the shareholders meeting last weeks that only 50 out of 619 executives took advantage of the buy out plan that was offered to Parks and Resorts workers this past January. Rumors online of layoffs have started. While no numbers in the US have surfaced, Florida’s WFTV is speculating that layoffs will be in the 100s for Orlando.


New Cruise Ship Names

In slightly happier news, Iger also announced that work has begun on Disney’s two new cruise ships. The Disney Dream will set sail in 2011 and Disney Fantasy launches in 2012.



World Wide Disney: Tokyo Disney Photo Essay
Disney and More has a great photo essay of Tokyo Disney Sea. This is the park that I most would like to see outside the US.


Current Discounts:
MouseSavers
MouseMisers Room Only
MouseMisers Packages


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 81 F.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day - D23 and Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek...

Daily Dose of Disney 3.17.09

DizNews:
I thought I would feature a bit of the chatter on the web about D23 today. There are many who are for the club, stating that it’s about time Disney did something official, and then there are many who are concerned about the price and what you get for the relatively high price of admission: $75. To put this in perspective, this is a one day one park admission at Walt Disney World. Frankly, I’m not sure how I feel about it. $75 is a lot of money in this economy but another part of me wants to “be part of the club”. I’ll let you all know what I decide but I would love to hear what others are thinking.

Huge D23 convention in Anaheim September - this is being advertised as an example of one of the big perks of being part of the club.

Detailed D23 membership info and benefits. Disney and More breaks it down and presented it in the best way that I found on the web.

Jim Hill goes behind the scenes of D23 for a look at what it’s all about.


World Wide Disney: The world’s newest Disney E-ticket is at Tokyo Disneyland. Here is the video for Monsters, Inc. Ride and Go Seek.
Oooooohhhh!!!!


Current Discounts:
MouseSavers
MouseMisers Room Only
MouseMisers Packages


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 85 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 79 F.

Witch Mountain #1, Resort Themed Bedding and Remy at Chefs de France

Daily Dose of Disney 3.16.09


DizNews:
Race to Witch Mountain Races to #1

This weekend, Disney was back at number one on the movie charts with “Race to Witch Mountain”. “Race” is basically a remake of the 1975 Escape to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This is Disney’s first #1 movie this year.


JC Penny to sell Disney Resort Themed Sheets

Wamsutta and Disney Consumer Products, Inc. are now offering a line of bedding inspired by four of Disney’s Deluxe resorts: The Grand Floridian, Yacht Club, The Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge. While the designs are inspired by the resorts don’t expect any Mickey’s. You can outfit your bed for about what it costs to spend a night in one of these resorts. The complete collection can be viewed here.


Remy at Chefs de France

Jeff Lange and MouseSteps are offering a great look at the latest addition to the living character initiative at the parks: Remy at Chefs de France in Epcot. Follow the link below to see stills and video of Remy in action. I think that this is SO COOL and frankly, simple, but it just works. It also appears as if Remy is available to answer some questions. I wonder if he speaks both French and English? Remy will reportedly be in Epcot for the next 6 months, contact the restaurant or Dining Reservations for show times.


World Wide Disney: Ain’t It Cool News has pics of the characters from Princess and the Frog. My guess is that these will not last long as they are not an “official” release.


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 85 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 72 F.

Daily Dose of Disney 3.11.09 - D23 The Wait is Over...

D23 had it’s official launch yesterday and wow there is a lot to digest here. First, it is being billed as the “Official Community for Disney Fans”. They are even offering a “Daily Dose of Disney” (wonder how long it will be before we have to change our name?) Anyway, for the initiation fee of $74.99 you get a
- Subscription to D23 Magazine
- Discounts to various events
- Access to purchase exclusive merchandise

Here is the official announcement.

Here is the official site.

Here is a link to the extended video about the release via My Disney Blog.


World Wide Disney: The new Art of Disney Parks website has been launched.
I really like the Vinylmation stuff and it doesn’t seem to break the bank.


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 85 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 65 F.

D23, Star Wars Merch and The View...

Monday - Daily Dose of Disney 3.9.09

DizNews:

D23

The viral "Are you 23?" campaign has been on for several months now, and there has been much speculation as to what this is...a movie? something at the parks? and now a merchandise club...Well, tomorrow is the day. However, MiceChat has a photo, taken by Annie Leibovitz no less, that will reportedly grace the site and magazine. A magazine? Yeah, it appears that Disney is venturing into the world of print media again. Disney, Etc is reporting that this will be a quarterly magazine costing $15.95 an issue. The magazine is more like a book and part of the perks of joining the club. The club, widely speculated as a merchandise club, with special offers to members, has not had any membership details (cost or benefits) leaked as of this writing. I know I’ll be checking my inbox tomorrow for the e-mail to see what Disney has cooked up. Here is the official site.


Star Wars Weekends

More Star Wars Weekends merchandise has been revealed.


The View at the Studios

The View, the ABC talkfest, will be filming at the Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World this week. A complete list of guests can be found here. However, on Wednesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Pixar Guru John Lasseter will be guests.



World Wide Disney: Daveland has Bathroom of Tomorrow Footage.


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 83 F.


Disneyland Weather: Rainy. High of 59 F.

DizNews: Star Wars Weekend Update, GM to Drop TT Sponsorship? and Online Subscriptions

Wednesday - Daily Dose of Disney 3.4.09

Star Wars Weekends Updates

This is a great site that follows the press releases for Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios. They have announced the first details of other merchandise coming out of Disney for this special event.


Test Track to Lose GM as Sponsor?

GM’s sponsorship contract for Test Track at Epcot is about to expire and rumor has it that GM will not renew it’s sponsorship deal with Disney. While Disney and GM are officially still in negotiations they have not been able to reach an agreement. GM is rumored to spend $5 million per year sponsoring the attraction. While this is an incredibly large sum, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Siemens is reportedly paying $100 million for it’s 10 year sponsorship of Spaceship Earth and the evening fireworks extravaganza Illuminations! There is some speculation as to whether Toyota might be interested in sponsoring the attraction, however, with the recession effecting almost all car manufacturers, it remains to be seen if there will be any takers. I hope that Disney can find some sort of agreement, while I don’t love Test Track it is a major attraction and I wold hate for it to go the way of Horizons.


Disney Considering Online Subscriptions

Disney CEO, Bob Iger announced in a presentation to Deutsche Bank that they are considering an online subscription service to watch online content at Disney.com. What do you think? Would you pay for an online subscription or would you prefer a service with commercials more like Hulu?



World Wide Disney: Where is Mickey and The Disney Village

Two super fun things for you today.

First, with a hat tip to Disney Dean, guess where Mickey is today.

Second, FoxFurr completes an exhaustive list of all the wonderfulness that was The Disney Village.


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 67 F.


Disneyland Weather: Rainy. High of 63 F.

Tuesday - Daily Dose of Disney 3.3.09

DizNews: Tron 2 Spoilers, Donald Duck, Virgin Closes and Life on Mars...


Ain’t It Cool News has spoilers for Tron 2 along with video. You’ll have to forgive me but I didn’t read this article because I don’t like to know any information ahead of time and being the geek that I am, I’m going to have to go and see this one in the theater. However, with the buzz surrounding the article, people are super psyched about it.


BoingBoing.net has a great video of Donald Duck - The Plastics Inventor. If you love Donald...


Virgin Mega Store at Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World is closing May 31, 2009. While the closing of this store has long been rumored, it comes along with the announcement that all Virgin Mega Stores in the US will be closing as well. The Disney Blog is reporting a rumor that Disney will turn this large space into an ESPN Zone. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.


Life on Mars, the well cast, super sci-fi show on ABC is taking it’s leave. Fans however, will get the chance to have the story wrapped up as the story closes. The finale will be the 17th episode of the series. No date has yet been released for the finale.


World Wide Disney:
Monsters, Inc. Ride and Go Seek attraction website at Tokyo Disneyland. This would be way cooler if it were in English but still worth a look. (Thanks to BlueSkyDisney.com)


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 61 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 68 F.