Two sad deaths have hit the extended Disney family this week. First Director Ken Annakin and then Bea Arthur. Annakin directed Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson and Arthur was star of TV’s Maude and The Golden Girls. You may have seen the house of the Golden… Read More »Disney News & Links – Sunday Edition
Upcoming Pixar has an interesting rumor about which Pixar character is next to get the Living Character Initiative treatment from Walt Disney Imagineering. Ratatouille’s lead rat Remy appeard first in Paris Disneyland Resort and is now in EPCOT’s France Pavilion. The rumor is that Luxo… Read More »Pixar Icon to be next Living Character Initiative at DHS?
It’s a bit early in the renewal season, but apparently there were no questions for Disney/ABC executives about the strengths of their current fall schedule. Nearly every show has already been renewed for this fall. Cast and producers for “Dancing With the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,”… Read More »ABC sends early good news to 12 series, you’re renewed
A small snafu over at Disneyland’s ticketbooths. Some non-SoCal annual passholders were enrolled in the monthly billing program. Instead of seeing that as an indication the promotion would be desirable to others outside the LA area, they’re canceling the subscriptions of the northerners.
Disney Theatrical is struggling to fill the weekday performances of its three Broadway productions. The NY Times examines some of the strategies Disney has been employing.
Dean has some great thoughts on using Twitter as a Disney fan. If you’re not following me on twitter, click here and sign up.
I wrote the other week about the iPhone Application (itunes) for Disneyland, but what about the rest of us Mobile users? Check out CoasterQ. Bookmark it on your mobile browser and then update wait times when you’re in the park. When it reaches a critical mass, you’ll have the same wait time information as the iPhone app.
Bre Morgan needs your help to become Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing. Voting ends today at 5pm. Help me, Help her win by doing the following:
1.visit Bre’s entry in the Radio Disney’s contest.
2. Give each of her two songs a 5 star rating
3. Vote as often as you can now through tomorrow (5 PM EST)
4. Vote also by texting NBT to Disney (347639)
6. Tell as many people as you can. Post Banners, Bulletins or whatever you can do!
Finally don’t forget about the Marvel X-Men DVD contest. There’s a new preview clip below the cut:
It’s Earth Day, time to recommit to saving the planet from pollution and other man-made poisons. From the Walt Disney Company’s early days, there has been a commitment to Environmentality, which encompasses the attitude and commitment to do what is right for the environment and right for responsible business. So I hope you won’t mind if we celebrate it a little today.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates it’s 20th anniversary on May 1st. Three representatives from Walt Disney Imagineering will speak at Premiere Theater at 9:00am & 10:45am about the history of the theme park. * Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President, Senior Creative Executive * Eric Jacobson, Senior… Read More »Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates 20th Anniversary May 1st
A ribbon awaits its severing for the grand opening.
Although the winds of fate prevented any actual guests from going up, up, and away, the new “Characters in Flight” balloon from Aerophile officially opened Tuesday morning in Downtown Disney, Orlando.
A single tether connects the balloon to the launch platform.
Many who have been on the ride during its soft opening days, claim it’s the best deal in Downtown Disney. Of course, the problem is that sometimes the ride isn’t open. Wind gusts can keep the balloon grounded. This has led to some issues with guests who get upset they can’t experience the ride. Disney has to put safety first even if the guest is leaving for the airport in 30 minutes. So plan accordingly and perhaps visit the balloon early in your trip.
Prices at the ticket booth.
Another problem is the unfortunate name of the attraction. The name “Characters in Flight” has led some guests to expect actual characters on the flight for a meet and greet. Alas, that’s just not the case. With all the other possibilities to name this attraction you have to wonder why they chose one that would be so misleading. Kind of like Disney marketing insisting on calling “Toy Story Midway Mania” Toy Story Mania, which makes it sound like a soft horror film instead of the fun midway games it actually is.
More info and photos below the cut:
Read More »Characters In Flight Balloon Officially Up, Up, and Away
Has anyone else noticed the Werther’s Original Caramel commercial that was filmed in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT Center? I haven’t been able to find a video capture of the ad, but their website does have a photo from the set. (click to enlarge clipping.)… Read More »Candy Spot Filmed at EPCOT