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June 2009

Princess Protection Program on DVD, so soon

princessprotection

I sat down to watch my DVR’d version of Disney Channel’s “Princess Protection Program” with my 6 year old son tonight with low expectations of it keeping our attention. But I need not have worried. PPP is a great movie in the classic Disney mold that we both enjoyed watching all the way through. In the 60s or 70s PPP would have been released to theaters, albeit with slightly better actors in the villain role, it is that good.

Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, the two actors who are asked to carry this film, have both been labeled as Disney’s hope for the future when Miley Cyrus finally moves on to her next thing. Gomez had the more meaty roll and really carried the film, a good sign for future work from her. Lovato definitely had the poise required to be a princess, but lacks the acting chops of Anne Hathaway in the Princess Diaries, but the fact that she compares at all says something.

Once you get past the films main conceit, the existence of, and need for, a Princess Protection Agency, the plot flows naturally from there. The adventure comedy is about two very different girls – a princess from a small kingdom and a small town girl who, when fate brings them together, must team up to help the would-be queen pass for a regular teen. Lots of great lessons are included in the film, but they mostly avoid hitting you over the head with them. Always a bonus.

As is Disney’s habit these days, they’ve already released a DVD with extra features you don’t get on The Disney Channel just 4 days after the movie’s cable debut.

The full press release is below the cut:

Update: I had the actors reversed as to which was the princess Rosie. That’s what I get for writing so late at night. It’s fixed now

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Hong Kong Disneyland’s Wish Comes True

“I want to be a real park” said Hong Kong Disneyland after seeing the poor imitation theme park puppet it had been constructed as. Alas until recently, HKDL was caught between it’s Stromboli (Eisner’ fear of infrastructure investment) and Fowlfellow (a rotten government only looking out for itself) and the Blue Fairy was no where in sight.

Finally a deal has been struck that will fix some of the mistakes in the concept and construction of Hong Kong Disneyland. But it will take at least $450 million to do so. This move is important because Disney will shortly start construction on another theme park in Shanghai, which is on mainland China. Not to mention the competition Ocean Park is giving Disney right there in Hong Kong.

After the expansion the beautiful but small Disneyland model park will have three new lands that are uniquely its own and a list of attractions that is nearing respectability.

Below the cut are descriptions of the new lands that will be built. One thing that irks me is that while the Adventurers Club sits unloved and abandoned over here in Florida, they’re planning on building one in China. Of course, I was an advocate for building an Adventurers Club west out in Disneyland, the more the merrier. Just reopen this one too.

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The Hall of Presidents Transformed

Update: video of President Obama as he records his lines for the show. “I [name] do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution… Read More »The Hall of Presidents Transformed

LEGOland in Florida Rumors Grow

The news that was spreading across the internet 10 days ago about LEGOland’s serious look at building in Central Florida has started to pick up steam with coverage by print and TV media. I’m hearing two rumors about the potential new theme park and some… Read More »LEGOland in Florida Rumors Grow

Hall of President Previews at Magic Kingdom

Yesterday the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom had previews for Cast Members, Annual Passholders and DVC members, and then opened to the regular guest as well. It was the debut of a new script, a new show, and a couple new… Read More »Hall of President Previews at Magic Kingdom