The Matterhorn attraction at Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary on Sunday. I wish I was there to recreate my grandfather’s initial test ride (although I think I’ll skip the bale of hay at the end). Residents in Burbank have accused the Walt Disney Company of… Read More »Friday Finds – Disney News & Links Roundup
Shanghaist reports on “Touch of the Panda” a new Disney-produced movie that is opening in China. It follows the story of a Panda Cub separated from its mother. Even if the plots not original it might be worth it for the scenery. The film was shot in the Woolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve.
Continuing our overseas trip, we have a story on a book of stories and anecdotes about Tokyo Disneyland that may have been plagiarized. Lawyers are now involved.
Two updated posts to note: First I’ve added a couple photos to my post about the new Green Disneyland Bakery; Second it turns out the Sherman Brothers documentary will open on May 22nd. Right now it’s at four cities, which I’ve added to the original post.
So far Orlando has been lucky enough to avoid a confirmed case of Swine Flu. If the cases continue to grow, that won’t happen forever, but it’s good news for now.
One of the juiciest rumors in the week of rumors that were this week, was the tidbit that GE and Universal Studios is giving serious consideration to buying the Busch Entertainment Theme parks, including (or perhaps only) the SeaWorld properties.
Looking for a great night on the town that’s also affordable? You may want to make another trip back to Downtown Disney to check out some deals. Not sure how long these specials will last, so ask when making reservations. Look below the cut for details:
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
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:
Time to close a bunch of open tabs again and pass along some of the latest Disney news and links.
Is an IMAX Theater coming to Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island 24 movie multiplex? According to the AMC website there is. Click on the ‘coming soon’ button at the bottom of this page. Alas, the date is TBD. The current thought is that it would either be expanded into the parking lot or into the space of the Virgin Megastore that’s closing soon. Of course an Apple Store and ESPN Zone have also been rumored for that space.
It’s not Halloween, but FoxxFur has the spooky tale of George, the ghost who inhabits the Magic Kingdom’s Pirates Of The Caribbean Attraction.
Six Flags isn’t the only theme park company facing debt restructuring issues right now. The Orlando Sentinel has the details on Universal Orlando’s problems. They’re looking at having to pay down $1.5 billion if they can’t get everything in line. That could mean in park cutbacks or even being forced to sell some properties.
Iron Chef Cat Cora, who will soon be opening a new restaurant at Walt Disney World, welcomed a new baby to the family last week. Cat’s wife, Jennifer, gave birth to a son. Cat is also pregnant and expecting this July.
Time to add another band to the banned list from Disneyland’s Downtown Disney House of Blues. The hardcore heavy metal band Daath was kicked for inappropriate content, no chance of appeal. I think Disney’s actually more concerned with keeping the peace at its open air mall than inappropriate content on stage.
A couple of Disney blogs to add to your list if you haven’t already. DisneyShawn smartly reveals the details and backstory behind Disney World’s theme parks. Meanwhile TouringPlans.com, the website of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, has started a blog as well.
Finally, I’d like to introduce you to the Disney Fan Review video podcast. It’s a new series that looks at the creative efforts of Disney fans across youtube. Sort of like a TV station for Disney fans. I’ve embedded one of his recent episodes below the cut:
Illustrator, Designer, and Imagineer Dorothea Redmond died last week. She had quite a career, even before Walt tapped her for WED. Her work on the Disney family apartment in New Orleans Square was recently brought to life in the Dream Suite, although Walt never got… Read More »Disney News & Links: I wonder what happened to Rosita
It’s Sunday, time for the final pause before most return to the weekday 9 to 5 hustle. Here are a few tidbits from the World of Disney that might help delay reality just a bit longer. While Walt Disney World may not have been able… Read More »Some Sunday Disney Reading
Apologies to NBC, but I have a ton of open tabs again and time to pass them along with all their juicy goodness. It’s Wednesday Night Lite… Oops, Disney has scooped itself by sending out review DVDs of Pinocchio with proof of exactly what the… Read More »Wednesday Night Lights – Disney News and Links