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October 2014

Sleeping Beauty available for first time on Diamond Edition

sleepingbeautydiamond-dvdcoverRelive the classic story of Princess Aurora and Maleficent when Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” is released on Diamond Edition Blu-ray, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on October 7, 2014.

This version of the fairytale contains digitally restored picture and sound, as well as several very cool bonus features including never-before-seen deleted scenes, a sing-along to “Once Upon A Dream,” and more.

Adapted from the music of Peter Tchaikovsky, “Sleeping Beauty” was the last animated feature produced by Walt Disney to be based upon a fairytale. It features the voice talents of renowned opera singer Mary Costa as Sleeping Beauty and Disney stalwart Eleanor Audley as the evil fairy, Maleficent.

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Read More »Sleeping Beauty available for first time on Diamond Edition

Disneyland Paris holding emergency meeting re: its very future

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Update: the other shoe dropped for Disneyland Paris, the good news? It was a glass slipper from TWDC: http://bit.ly/1xVukOG

What is going on at Disneyland Paris? It’s the most popular theme park in Europe in terms of attendance, but it continually struggles with profitability. This year has been particularly rough. It lost its president Phillipe Gas to Shanghai Disneyland, has been in the news for the shoddy condition of many of its attractions, and is down over a million visitors from the previous year. There is no way to put a silver lining on it. The situation is not good.

On the other hand, the park’s second gate recently opened a Ratatouille attraction that has breathed some life into that park, there are rumors of a major Star Wars addition being planned, and it’s having a Halloween Festival that is getting good reviews. All signs that the park is on the right track.

So which is it? Unfortunately, it appears that the storm clouds are gathering for the park. It will be holding a special meeting with the workers’ council on Monday to discus the park’s cash crunch. The meeting is timed for just before the Paris Stock Exchange opens.
Read More »Disneyland Paris holding emergency meeting re: its very future

SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular kicks off with inclusive fun

Looking for an alternative Halloween experience that’s actually included with your theme park admission and not a seperate ticket event? I recommend SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. It starts today, Oct. 4. This daytime event immerse you and your family in an underwater “fantasea” filled with trick-or-treating,… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular kicks off with inclusive fun

Guardians of the Galaxy Rockets into Homes Just In Time for Christmas

Own the summer’s biggest movie when Marvel’s smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy is released on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and On-Demand on December 9, 2014. Just in time for Christmas. If you’re even more impatient to own it, it will also be available on Digital… Read More »Guardians of the Galaxy Rockets into Homes Just In Time for Christmas

Star Wars Rebels premieres tonight on Disney Channel

The first Star Wars TV project to come from Disney after its acquisition of Lucasfilm is the animated TV sereis “Star Wars Rebels.” Don’t expect it to stray too far from the winning formula George Lucas found with his franchise though. There will be a… Read More »Star Wars Rebels premieres tonight on Disney Channel

Disney CEO and Chair Bob Iger Extends Contract through June 2018

Tom Staggs between Imagineer Joe Rohde and Director James Cameron

Tom Staggs between Imagineer Joe Rohde and Director James Cameron

Speculation about who will replace Bob Iger might just have to wait. The Disney CEO and Chair has extended his contract through June 30, 2018. It had been thought that either Jay Rasulo (current CFO and former Disney Parks Chair) or Tom Staggs (current Disney Parks Chairand former CFO) were going to step into the CEO role in 2016 while Iger moved soley to the board position. Now that’s up in the air.

The current thought pattern is that Disney will appoint a COO moving either Staggs or Rasulo (or a dark horse candidate like Anne Sweeney (currently co-chair of Disney-ABC TV Group)) into the newly created desk. The COO would then get first hand experience running a giant corporation like The Walt Disney Company has become. If they do this, it tells me they definitely want to keep the promotion in house.

“I’ve had the privilege of being the CEO of this great company for nine years and am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue through June 2018,” Iger said. “I’m very excited about what lies ahead, including the release of our Star Wars films and the launch of Shanghai Disneyland, and I’m honored to continue working with our talented management team and the 175,000 dedicated people who make this company what it is today.”Read More »Disney CEO and Chair Bob Iger Extends Contract through June 2018

The Hunchback of Notre Dame musical extends its run before the curtain even rises.

It doesn’t even open until October 26, but the U.S. Premiere of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame musical has had its performance extended by a week to December 14. The La Jolla Playhouse is hosting first American appearance of the musical in collaboration with… Read More »The Hunchback of Notre Dame musical extends its run before the curtain even rises.