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September 2011

Risk and Reward, is Disney Parks & Resorts on the Right Track?

With the recent announcement of an Avatar themed land and attractions coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdoms and the troubled opening of Disney’s first Hawaiian resort, Aulani, a lot of the conversation has settled on the types of risks the Walt Disney Company’s parks and resorts division has been taking lately.

It’s a bouillabaisse of different complaints:

  • The monorail and bus system is no longer inpsiring, future world has stagnated, Tomorrowland is now toontown, with the result that Disney’s position as a company with vision has been lost.
  • That Disney should believe in its own artists to come up with compelling stories and themes instead of buying properties like Avatar or Prince of Persia. Franchising is fine, but it shold be ‘Disney’ franchises, not Fox.
  • That building in Hawaii will not pay off for DVC. Either no one will buy it, or they’ll be using those points on the mainland anyway leaving Aulani an empty shell much of the year.

You can see why the Disney company may be confused. One one hand they get attacked for not doing enough on the other for doing too much. That’s true, but the general theme is Disney needs to take more risks when it comes to its parks and resorts.

Read More »Risk and Reward, is Disney Parks & Resorts on the Right Track?

Clips of Newsies Stage Musical Production

Disney Theatrical and The Paper Mill Playhouse has released a short video with clips of the stage musical production of Newsies.

Production runs through Oct 16th.

Read our previous Newsies coverage.

Below the jump catch a video of the cast backstage at ABC’s The View.

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Kate Beckett’s new Loft from Castle. I want this.

I’m a big fan of the hit ABC prime time show Castle. But even if you’ve never watched an episode, you’ll fall in love with this new set for Lt. Kate Beckett’s loft. Check out the LA Times for photos as well as this twitpic… Read More »Kate Beckett’s new Loft from Castle. I want this.

Charlie’s Angels: Season 1, Episode 1

It’s back! No, not that pimple on your face that appears every other month though you continue to pop it, Charlie’s Angels silly! After waiting about a year since the pilot taping was announced, I have been looking forward to this. I saw who would… Read More »Charlie’s Angels: Season 1, Episode 1

Aulani Officially Opens, Receives Permission to Sell DVC Again

We now know the amount by which Disney Vacation Club was undervaluing their Aulani contracts — 33%. That’s the amount of the raise Disney has been given permission to add to their previous fees. According to a Disney spokesperson quoted in the Orlando Sentinel, sales… Read More »Aulani Officially Opens, Receives Permission to Sell DVC Again

Revenge: Series Premiere – Building A Mystery

Editor: Please welcome guest author Estelle who will tracking the twisting storylines wrapped up in ABC’s new drama Revenge.

Revenge is sweet and… perplexing?

Whoever said everything is better in the Hamptons was obviously not at Emily Thorne’s engagement party. Fireworks explode, masking the sound of gun shots. David, the groom, is missing and as Emily’s future mother-in-law enchants the crowd with a warm (sarcasm, learn it) congratulatory speech, you know exactly what has happened… kind of. That’s the general feeling I had while watching Revenge last night. You sort of know, and then you have no idea all over again.

The newest ABC drama definitely knows how to keep the mystery alive.

After the opening scene, viewers are transported to five months before when a fresh-faced and flawless Emily (Emily VanCamp of Everwood) decides to rent a house in Southampton, New York – land of the wealthy and fabulous with a beachy backdrop. It’s not just any house, but the home she once shared with her father when she was a little girl, then known as Amanda. Cue some more flashbacks. We soon realize that Emily is not there to ride a wave of nostalgia but to make her own waves within the affluent crowd that unjustly brought her father down 17 years ago.

Get it? Revenge.

Read More »Revenge: Series Premiere – Building A Mystery

Modern Family: Season 3, Episodes 1&2

For the two brand new episodes of Modern Family that aired back-to-back last night, I thought I would do something a little different with my weekly recap. Instead of walking you through the story detailing each scene, I thought I would simply provide a few… Read More »Modern Family: Season 3, Episodes 1&2

The Middle – Episode 1 & 2: Forced Family Fun

Editor: Please welcome guest author Daniel Staten who will take on the dangerous duty of reviewing ABC’s popular sit-com The Middle.

The Middle follows the Heck family. They’re an all-American, middle-class family with everyday common struggles. The show is back for season three on ABC’s Wednesday night comedy lineup. This season’s opener features a cameo by Ray Romano that reunites him with Heck family matriarch Frankie, played by Patricia Heaton.

It’s the first day of school for Axl, Sue and Brick and as Frankie and Mike usher their kids off to class, Frankie begins to reminisce about the family’s summer bonding experience, or as most of us know it, vacation. After seeing neighborhood families travel to the beach, Wisconsin, and conveniently, Walt Disney World, Frankie decides that the Heck family needs a “quick and cheap” vacation to call their own. Mike, in his gruff and earnest way suggests the family go camping. In spite of the kid’s collective groans, they pack up the car and head out.

Read More »The Middle – Episode 1 & 2: Forced Family Fun