Disney Theatrical’s production of “The Lion King” just surpassed “Phantom of the Opera” as the highest grossing show on Broadway. The hit musical based on the animated film, has generated a total of $853.8 million in ticket sales since opening on Broadway in 1997. They’re… Read More »Disney’s The Lion King Ruler of Broadway
The author and Merida, both shooting for their own respective hands. Photo courtesy of Pixar.
Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to visit Pixar Animation Studios for a preview of the upcoming film Brave. Needless to say, it was exactly what I hoped it would be: Incredible(s).
We (assorted press/bloggers) were broken into groups (Clan Dingwall!) and sent on a whirlwind tour that included interviews with Mark Andrews (Director of Brave), Katherine Sarafian (Producer of Brave), a host of Pixar animators that worked on Brave, and also an interview with Enrico Casarosa who created and directed the Oscar-nominated short La Luna that will accompany Brave in theaters (we screened La Luna, and it was both sweet and breathtaking). However, all of those interviews and experiences are currently under embargo. Don’t worry, I’ll share everything before Brave opens!
What I can talk about is my visit to Pixar Animations Studios, and all the fun things that we were able to do.
Thomas Kinkade, a prolific painter known for his painting style that infused scenes with a romantic glowing light, had died from what appears to be natural causes at his home in California. He was 54.
Kinkade claimed to be the most collected modern painter generating up to $100 million a year in sales. His mass-produced editions satisfied some need in families and could be found in galleries all around the world.
Disney fans will be familiar with Kinkade as he frequently painted scenes from Disney’s animated classics and the theme parks. Kinkade often spoke of parallels between his life and Walt Disney’s. Both traveled to California as young men with just a few dollars to their name and a portfolio to show their talent. Paintings from Kinkade’s Disney Collection are sure to immediately become more valued.
In the news: The AP and Mercury News
Photo from 2008 introduction of Disney collection.
Update: Below the jump, I’ve added a gallery of a few Kinkade paintings large enough where you can make out the detail he put into each work:
“The Art of Vacationing” considers what would happen if Goofy planned a vacation to Disneyland. A loving homage to the classic Goofy “Art Of” how-to animated shorts, this is a real cute video from Disneyland that deserves to go viral. Help out by sharing it… Read More »Goofy and Disneyland Pay Homage to Classic Shorts in “The Art of Vacationing”
Three generations making memories with The Big Cheese and his main squeeze.
Sony and Disney Parks are teaming up to help capture some family memories. Sony provides the video camera and Disney the theme park experience and together it’s a great opportunity for you to win a Son Handycam and a Disney vacation.
The “Share Magical Memories” co-branded campaign kicks off with a unique online contest and dedicated website hosted by Disney Interactive at www.disney.com/memories, where guests can submit a written entry about a special someone in their life, a family member, friend or educator, who has helped create a lasting memory. A panel of judges will review the stories about the special memory makers and select five grand prize winners. Each grand prize winner will receive a vacation for themselves and three guests, plus a vacation for their memory makers and three guests to Walt Disney World Resort. The winning families will also receive a Sony® HDR-PJ260V projector camcorder to document new memories before, during, and after their experience at Disney Parks.
Video has rolled in off the internets of The Avengers monorail on the track at Walt Disney World. This was shot yesterday.
Thanks to Jeff and Denise from MouseSteps for the above video. Here’s another video from Inside the Magic below the jump:
In 1995 Nickelodeon knocked The Disney Channel off the top of the ratings perch and the mouse house has been struggling to regain its lead ever since. The switch finally happened, although not so much from the ascendance of The Disney Channel but rather the… Read More »Disney Channel Finally Beats Nickelodeon
First there was the Tronorail, now we have the Avengerail? Avengorail? Whatever. Disney officially announced today what had been rumored for a few months, an monorail of the fleet will get a wrap treatment for the new Disney/Marvel movie The Avengers. I’m pretty happy about… Read More »Walt Disney World Monorail to get The Avengers Treatment
