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John Frost

Themepark Profits Weak (plus a rant!)

Despite improved attendance numbers, apples to apples profit numbers reveal that the parks are having their worst years since the 80s. I’m sure the number crunchers up in Burbank have better models than me, but since you asked… the company is now reaping what it has sowed. The 90s were supposed to be the Disney Decade at the Themeparks. Instead we saw cuts in attraction budgets, a reliance on the cheaper (sometimes! remember the expensive mistake that was Light Magic) entertainment, cuts in training, and an across the board slashing of maintenance budgets. Not only has this resulted in death and injury at the theme parks, but it affected Disney brand as the top quality family entertainment vacation destination.

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Jungle Cruise, The Movie

Comingsoon.net reports on the progress of two new Disney flix: A remake of Swiss Family Robinson and a new film based off Disney’s themepark attraction, The Jungle Cruise. Now since the theme of The Jungle Cruise was largely lifted from the African Queen, you’d think they would find some similarity there. But it looks to… Read More »Jungle Cruise, The Movie

Oedipus Pan

For a long time, Peter on the stage was played by a young woman in tights – the rump, as it were, of late Victorian theatre. A nubile woman in the role, with her frank appeal to the heterosexual adult tastes of the fathers in the house, obscured the difficult matters of child sexuality, sibling… Read More »Oedipus Pan

A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

Over at The Disney Blog: Kid’s World, we’re examining the origins of my favorite Disney song "It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow."

Incredible Accolades

Over at Luxo: The Pixar Animation Fan Blog, they’re keeping track of all the awards and nominations The Incredibles has received. Brad Bird had better dust off that Tuxedo and stock up on the cumberbunds, he’ll be making a lot of acceptance speeches this year. So Far he has best animated film from the New… Read More »Incredible Accolades

Themepark Attendance Up

Forbes reports the yearly tally of attendance at major Themeparks worldwide. The numbers are up with the hurricanes having hardly any affect at all on the final tally for Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Second Place is once again claimed by Disneyland.

Disney World in Pictures

Scott visited Epcot this last weekend and the result is this fabulous collection of photos. Have a look. Cory Doctorow, author of Down and Out at the Magic Kingdom, has also been visiting Orlando recently. His photos are up on Flickr. And LaughingPlace.com has pictures up of the Holidays at California Adventure.

Mary Poppins’ Musical Mayhem

Planning to bring your 4, 5, or 6 year old to see the new Mary Poppins’ Musical in London? If you are, the producers have a message for you — leave them at home. Because of the length and the dark material in this musical version of PK Travers stories children under three have been… Read More »Mary Poppins’ Musical Mayhem