Wall-E blows up!

So I went to see Wall-E last week at the AMC Pleasure Island 24. Since this is the theatre located on Disney's West Side entertainment complex, you know they were going to do a BIG promotion for the new Pixar flick, Wall-E. I just didn't expect it to be this huge.

CROW 2008 - Magic Kingdom

Every year, Canoe Races of the World brings out the best in over 75 teams of rowers, all vying for 1 of 6 coveted divisional CROW paddles.

This year was no different during competition, however a small team of rowers raised the bar on CROW technology, filming a lot more and sharing a lot more. We even placed cameras on the backside hairpin turn and setup a broadcast station to allow spectators on dock to see the action all around the river. Below is a collection of videos showcasing 2008 CROW.


The Good the Bad and the Ugl-IE practice #1


The Good the Bad and the Ugl-IE Qualifying - Hairpin Turn


Land Ho! Practice #2

Wall-E in Ellll-A

Pixar Studios at Hollywood Studios

I took a stroll down the new Pixar Studios overhaul of what used to be Mickey Avenue at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Aside from the new Toy Story Midway Mania and an indoor meet and greet for Woody and Buzz, there were a few more props added along the way. Yesterday I posted a shot of the Lightning McQueen/Mater Meet and Greet.

Enjoy the photos.

Toy Story Midway Mania FastPass

Kaaa-Chow!!!

Lightning McQueen and Mater at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney Adjusting Animal Kingdom Ride

The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 5, 2008; 10:56 AM


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Walt Disney World plans to make safety changes to an Animal Kingdom roller coaster in response to the death last year of an employee after she was struck by one of the ride's cars.

Disney is changing the entry and exit areas of Primeval Whirl by installing sensor mats in restricted-access areas. In addition, the ride platform will be extended and bold stripes will be added to the load and unload zones, Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty said Wednesday.

The sensor mats will shut down the ride if a person sets foot there, she said.

Ride attendant Karen Price was hit by a ride car and fell from a platform on Nov. 24. She died a few days later.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is still investigating the death.

The safety work is being done after hours and will take a few weeks. It shouldn't disrupt operation of the ride, Prunty said.

Scrubs Moves to ABC

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Longtime NBC comedy "Scrubs" is heading to rival network ABC. Sources say ABC is in negotiations to pick up 18 episodes of the show from Disney corporate sibling ABC Studios, which has produced the series for NBC since 2001. A broadcast show switching networks, though often discussed during contract renewals, is a rare event. Previous network jumpers include "JAG" (NBC to CBS) and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (The WB to UPN). The writers strike cut short NBC's 18-episode final-season order for the Zach Braff medical comedy to 12 episodes. Sources say the network has been reluctant to order additional episodes for next fall, citing the fact that it already has some fresh episodes in the can. NBC reportedly floated various end game scenarios to producers, including ordering one final episode, or producing the remaining episodes direct to DVD. Details of the ABC deal are still being hammered out as contracts for most cast members and writers have not been picked up beyond the current season. Most recently, "Scrubs" has aired as part of NBC's Thursday night lineup along with "The Office," "My Name Is Earl" and "30 Rock," where the medical comedy was often the lowest-rated of the bunch.

The real question is whether the characters have enough story left to tell. I missed a lot of the Scrubs early seasons but recently caught a few dozen episodes during some Comedy Central marathons where my DVR worked overtime.

Maybe I OD'd on the series, but I'm kind of over it now.

The Downside to Living next to the Magic Kingdom Monorail

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Orlando Sentinel) – Time-share analysts expect Walt Disney World will have little trouble if and when it begins selling units in "Kingdom Tower" – the half-built project going up next to the Contemporary Resort – in large part because they would be the first time shares within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom monorail. But Disney lawyers, mindful that anything can become fodder for a lawsuit, also make sure to note in pre-sale disclosure documents that there is a downside to being so close to the monorail. The Disney documents warn prospective buyers that the "operation of the existing monorail system may result in noise or light levels in excess of that typically occurring in areas consisting solely of residential accommodations and may result in an obstruction of views."

New Parade, Show Coming to California Adventure

ANAHEIM (Orange County Register) – The expansion of Disney’s California Adventure may be years away. In the meantime, visitors to the theme park will soon find two new attractions – a parade and live show. On March 14, both the “Pixar Play Parade” and the revamped “Playhouse Disney Live on Stage” show will debut.

• The “Pixar Play Parade” will feature characters from Disney Pixar movies: “Toy Story,” “a bug’s life,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars” and “Ratatouille.” Some of the dozen parade floats will reach up to two stories high. More than 100 cast and crew members will whirl, spin and do acrobatics in the procession.
• The 23-minute “Playhouse Disney Live on Stage” show will have a new cast with characters from Disney Channel shows aimed at preschool-aged children: “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins” and “Handy Manny.” Children are encouraged to sing along, dance and clap as live performers, puppets, projections and special effects are incorporated into the plot invvolving characters planning a birthday party for Minnie Mouse. The first “Playhouse Disney Live on Stage” began in 2003, but new characters have been added over the past five years.

Disney officials also plan to give a sneak preview of the Toy Story Mania ride on the 14th. The ride is set to open this summer.

Star Wars Weekends

I used to be really good about updating this blog, but alas, it is what it is. This picture from Star Wars weekends at Disney/MGM Studios is pretty cool though. Enjoy...

Moody's Upgrades Disney Ratings

This sounds cool. I wonder what it all means...

NEW YORK (AP) – Moody's Investors Service said Wednesday it upgraded Walt Disney Co.'s ratings on the media and entertainment company's improved credit metrics and balance sheet.

• The ratings service raised Disney's senior unsecured ratings to "A2" from "A3," its commercial paper ratings to "Prime-1" from "Prime-2," and its preferred stock shelf ratings to "A3" from "Baa1."
• Moody's also assigned the Burbank, Calif.-based company's $4.5 billion bank facilities "A2" senior unsecured ratings.
• Obligations rated "A2" and "A3" are considered upper-medium grade and subject to low credit risk.
• The outlook is currently stable, meaning the ratings are unlikely to change. Moody's initiated its review of Disney's ratings on Jan. 18. The ratings service said about $13.8 billion of debt securities are affected by the upgrade.

Moody's attributed the upgrade to its view that Disney can sustain its strengthened results and credit metrics, as well as management's commitment to maintain the company's strong balance sheet and metrics over the longer term. Moody's analyst Neil Begley cited successful Disney franchises, such as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie trilogy, as contributing to the company's recent improvement.

Disney Ship Lands in Barcelona

BARCELONA (PRNewswire) – Thousands of colorful fireworks filled the nighttime sky over Barcelona last night as, the Disney Magic cruise ship approached the Spanish port city nestled along the Mediterranean coast, signaling Disney Cruise Line's first-ever foray into the European cruise market. In grand Spanish style, the 2,700-passenger ship was greeted by a fireworks spectacular totaling nearly 2,200-shells upon arrival to the Port of Barcelona. The Port of Barcelona will serve as homeport for the Disney Magic this summer as it embarks on brand new 10- and 11-night itineraries in the Mediterranean. These cruises provide families with a unique and hassle-free way to explore world-famous cities such as Rome, Florence, Naples, Cannes and Barcelona. The celebratory fireworks show in Barcelona was choreographed to music that played upon Disney's rich musical history and celebrated the European destinations the Disney Magic will visit this summer. Thousands of local residents gathered along the Barcelona shoreline to catch a glimpse of the Disney Magic and join the festivities. A chorus of cheers filled the ship's decks when the show paid tribute to the newly released film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." The film made its debut on the Disney Magic later that evening. Disney Cruise Line guests sailing in the Mediterranean will find several new surprises including a brand new stage spectacular at the Walt Disney Theatre, a Mediterranean-themed deck party, European-themed activities for children and family-friendly shore excursions at ports of call. To prepare for the journey, for the first time ever, iPod users can find Mediterranean themed content – port information, travel tips and language guides – plus movies and TV shows in a special travel entertainment store created exclusively by iTunes for Disney Cruise Line. In addition:

• Mickey Mouse's dreams come to life in When Mickey Dreams, a musical spectacle guided by a cast of Cirque-like "dream seekers" at the Walt Disney Theatre. The show's unique, artistic nature will thrill guests, while a nightmare visit by the notorious villain Maleficent serves up a few chills.


• One night during the cruise, guests will celebrate the summer in the Mediterranean at a carnival-inspired deck party called Party Paradiso. With the help of special effects designed to light up the night, Disney characters and performers ignite the spirit of fun and adventure as guests prepare to explore new horizons.


• Youth counselors, who are expertly skilled at keeping children of any age engaged and entertained, will weave the cultures of the ship's destinations into many of the children's activities. Up to 70 new activities for kids 3-17 have been planned for the Mediterranean, including Crêpe-making, puppet-crafting, pizza-baking and mosaic tile-making.

Continuing to offer a diverse array of itineraries, for the summer of 2008, Disney Cruise Line will reposition the Disney Magic to the West Coast for seven-night cruise vacations to the Mexican Riviera. Beginning May 25, 2008, the Disney Magic will sail 12-consecutive cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

"Ugly Betty" Star America Ferrera's Smile Worth $10 Million

NEW YORK (PR Newswire) – Who knew a smile could be worth so much? During a unique unveiling in New York City, Aquafresh White Trays insured America Ferrera's smile for $10 million dollars through an exclusive Lloyd's of London policy. America joins an illustrious list of celebrities who have had body parts insured by Lloyds of London, like Keith Richards' fingers and Bette Davis' waistline. The event is part of a program to help raise money for Smiles for Success, a charity that helps women going from welfare to the workforce who cannot afford the cost of dental care. New Aquafresh White Trays is helping support the charity by donating $1 to Smiles for Success for every box of product purchased between now and August 31. In addition, consumers have a chance to win a behind-the-scenes tour of the "Ugly Betty" set with America by entering the "Beauty that Fits" sweepstakes. Aquafresh White Trays will also make a $1 donation for every entry, for a combined donation of up to $100,000. This is the largest single donation the charity has ever received.

Altar Boyz Cast Will Visit "Sprites"

NEW YORK (Playbill) – The cast of the hit Off-Broadway musical Altar Boyz will make a cameo appearance on the May 19 broadcast of "Johnny and the Sprites," which stars Avenue Q Tony nominee and current Beauty and the Beast actor John Tartaglia. The episode is titled "Basil's Band" and will air at 11 AM ET on the Disney Channel. The upcoming program is described in this manner: "Basil discovers something about making promises – and keeping them – when he joins a band and forgets about all of his friends." The original song "That's What Friends Do" – penned by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker – will be heard during the episode. Adler and Walker also wrote the score for Altar Boyz. "Johnny and the Sprites" – which teaches children "about magic in the world around them" – airs Saturdays on the Disney Channel. Tony winner Sutton Foster was a previous guest on the show, which features Avenue Q's Natalie Venetia Belcon in a recurring role as Johnny's next-door neighbor. John Tartaglia made his Broadway debut in Avenue Q. He currently plays Lumiere in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast.

Seeking Exposure, D-Rays are Going to Disney World

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) – Matt Silverman speaks confidently when he talks about the future of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The 30-year-old Harvard-educated team president is entrusted to help principal owner Stuart Sternberg make good on a pledge to transform a struggling organization into a hit on and off the field. He believes in his boss's vision. New team colors and a name change are on the horizon, and the club embarks this week on a plan to try to reposition itself into a regional franchise by playing three games against the Texas Rangers at Disney World, starting Tuesday. In addition to increasing the team's exposure in the Orlando area, the Devil Rays are hoping to bolster television ratings across Central Florida and eventually lure fans about 90 miles southwest to their regular home in St. Petersburg. The 9,500-seat stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex is about 20 miles southwest of downtown Orlando and will be the smallest ballpark to host a major league game since the Athletics opened the 1996 season with six "home" dates at 9,000-seat Cashman Field in Las Vegas while improvements were made at Oakland Coliseum. With temporary stands and outfield berm seating, capacity can be expanded to 13,000 at Disney, which has been the spring training base for the Atlanta Braves since 1997. Although advance ticket sales have been slow, officials remain optimistic that cooperative weather will spur a strong walk-up gate. NASCAR legend Richard Petty will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for one of the games. Fans attending the games will receive a voucher for admission for select dates in St. Petersburg, where Sternberg has extended free parking for a second season and introduced other fan-friendly features such as a 10,000-gallon tank containing 30 cownose rays that can be touched and fed. Additional image-shaping changes are on the way, beginning with a slight modification of team's nickname for 2008. Although Silverman insisted it's "not a done deal," the club faces a May 31 deadline to notify major league baseball of plans to change logos, uniforms, colors and likely drop the word "Devil" from a moniker many have opposed since the franchise's inception nine seasons ago.

Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille Kicks Off “Big Cheese Tour”

LOS ANGELES (Business Wire) – Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios will celebrate this summer’s most original animated-comedy, Ratatouille, by bringing a mouthwatering experience to cities across the country with “The Big Cheese Tour.” The tour kicked off on Friday, May 11, 2007, at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. It will continue to cross the country stopping at many events and major food festivals throughout the summer.

• Inspired by Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille – a hilarious comedy about a rat named Remy who dreams of becoming a great French chef – the interactive experience will be highlighted by a thrilling “Big Cheese Slide,” which will give kids an exciting ride down a 25’ wedge of cheese.
• Audiences will also be treated to a special sneak peek at Ratatouille inside the 30’ state-of-the-art “Eiffel Tower Digital Theater.”
• A Center Stage area features daily cooking demonstrations with a real chef featuring Tasty Treats and Healthy Snacks for busy families as well as daily shows featuring Ratatouille Video Game demonstrations, radio promotions and an inside look at how the animation for Ratatouille was created.
• Tour goers will also be able to see multiple making-of pieces at various kiosks.

The tour is being supported by an impressive lineup of promotional partners. Tour goers can interact with Intel Corporation’s roaming ambassador chefs, equipped with Intel Centrino Duo processor technology-based laptops using Intel Core 2 Duo processors, where they can take photos with the Ratatouille characters superimposed into the picture, play an interactive game or register for a chance to win an array of prizes. The tour chefs will feature recipes from the General Mills’ portfolio of brands and attendees will be able to sample Chocolate Chex cereal as available. Samsung is providing all of the appliances on stage and plasma screens throughout the tour. THQ will provide video game demonstration kiosks where consumers get a chance to sample the latest game. Ratatouille opens in theaters nationwide on June 29, 2007.

Disneyland Paris 15th anniversary celebration

Disneyland Paris turns 15 this year and Disney is putting on quite a celebration. I mean, how can you beat Andie MacDowell as your Master of Ceremonies? Is there anyone more deserving than one of the co-stars of Hudson Hawk? I remember her first film role well, so eloquently portraying the role of Jane in Tarzan: The Legend of Greystoke, mainly because her voice was entirely dubbed over by Glenn Close. Now that's acting!

Keeping with ridiculous marketing choices, I give you the best caption of a photo...ever.

Wireless Robots Try Not to Act Remote

This is amazing. It's nice to see Disney pushing the envelope again with unique and original technology.

ANAHEIM (LA Times) – Watch out, Mickey Mouse. The Muppets may be sneaking up on you. Walt Disney Imagineering this week debuted its latest, cutting-edge creation: free-roaming, interacting audio-animatronic Muppets capable of "seeing" and "talking" to tourists – and without a human puppeteer in sight. Disney's most advanced robotic creation to date makes the costumed, mute Winnie the Poohs and Donald Ducks seem like felt-covered relics, though Disney executives are quick to reassure that the beloved, autograph-signing cast isn't going anywhere. "This is an incredibly compelling and powerful way to experience the characters," said Bruce Vaughn, vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering's research and development division. "They are fully aware of the people in their presence and can call you by name. It is a 100% live experience." The technology is vastly more sophisticated than Disney's first venture into audio-animatronics with the Enchanted Tiki Room birds in 1963 and Mr. Lincoln in 1964. In their first appearances at Disney's California Adventure this week, bumbling scientist Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his meep-meeping sidekick Beaker joked and chatted with guests. The Muppets could see the color of the clothes the kids wore and the lollipops they licked – casting a slight Big Brother vibe over the proceedings. They maneuvered in a silver, egg-shaped roving laboratory outfitted with flashing lights, spinning signs, confetti cannons and smoke and water sprayers. Never wanting to divulge their secrets, Imagineers waved it off as "Disney magic" and "pixie dust." In reality, a live puppeteer who can see and hear everything reacts from afar. The Muppet Mobile Laboratory will be roaming the streets of California Adventure through Sunday, before it heads back to the shop for more tweaking. The goal is for one person to operate the characters from as far away as Glendale, the headquarters of Walt Disney Imagineering. Through its Living Character Initiative, Disney is trying to improve interaction between characters and YouTube-watching, Nintendo Wii-playing guests.

• In 2005, the company introduced "Turtle Talk With Crush," a real-time animated show that allows the "Finding Nemo" character to chat with fans.
• In 2003, Disney scientists and engineers built Lucky, a 20-foot-long dinosaur that could smile, grunt and burp. It was the first time an audio-animatronics creation was unleashed into the park, instead of tethered to an attraction. Lucky has since gone into hibernation.
• Dr. Honeydew and Beaker, which were purchased along with the rest of the Muppets in 2004 from Jim Henson Co., can be removed from their roving lab and put into theater chairs, on rides, or in any other setting. No nearby operator is necessary. The portable, wireless technology also allows Disney to bring to life nontraditional characters.

Disney is considering using the technology to bring other characters, including those from Pixar movies, to its parks. "With prior audio-animatronics, you see the figure standing, but there's a huge infrastructure backstage and all sorts of machines," Vaughn said. "I think what you'll ultimately see is a lot of characters that we haven't been able to deliver before."

Fight At Disney Leaves Man Doused In Gasoline

Not all the Disney news is awesome.

(CBS4) ORLANDO A fight between two workers at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom overnight ended with one man doused in gasoline and the other in jail, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s office.Sheriff's officials say the two men, who are employees of a Disney contractor, got into a fight while cleaning a pond at the hippo exhibit at about 3:00 a.m.The sheriff’s office says Stephen Kim threw gas on the other man and struck a lighter at a distance, threatening to light him on fire.The other man, who was not identified, backed away. That's when Kim allegedly dropped the lighter and picked up a shovel.The other man was unhurt. He ran away and called authorities.Kim, of Melbourne, was jailed on an aggravated assault charge.

Orphaned Siblings Sue Disney/ABC

According to this, the Leomiti family seems a bunch of jerks. Of course, their side of the story is not represented in this article at all. #1 question: Why would they evict the 5 orphans?

LOS ANGELES (Long Beach Press Telegram) – Five orphaned siblings whose "adoption" by a Santa Fe Springs family was featured on television are suing Disney/ABC International Television Inc. Charles, Michael, Charis, Joshua and Jeremiah Higgins are claiming they were cheated out of a home, gifts, cars and other items given to them by the producers of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and private donors. At a hearing on the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles County Court, attorneys for both sides argued over the diary entries of one of the children and whether the entries should be allowed as evidence in the suit. The five Higgins siblings lost both of their parents suddenly within 3 months of each other in 2004, leaving them orphaned and homeless. They were taken in by the Leomiti family of Santa Fe Springs, who attended the same church, the Norwalk Assembly of God Church. When "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" learned about their story, the show's producers built a home for the children and the Leomiti family. The siblings also were given gifts, cars, and a Disneyland vacation in February 2005, according to their lawsuit. But the rags-to-riches fairytale didn't last long. According to their suit, the Leomiti family evicted the siblings from the newly built home in April, after they had received thousands of dollars in donated items meant for the children, along with gifts from the show's producers. The siblings were left with nothing, according to their suit, and as a result were forced to separate, their attorneys said. The Leomiti family retained the house, cars, and at least $50,000 in cash donations given to the Higgins children independently of the show, according to court documents. Judge Paul Gutman ordered both sides to "meet and confer" about the issue and return to court on Feb. 27. A trial date in the suit has been set for May 14. The siblings, who were between the ages 14 and 21 at the time the show was taped, filed suit against Disney/ABC International Television Inc. and other companies who produced, distributed and marketed the show. Their court complaint states that the siblings were given a fraudulent contract and promised things they never received. The show's contract was made between the producers and the Leomiti family, even though the Higgins' traumatic story is what prompted producers to build the house, said Mesisca. "Within a few days after their father died – their mom had died just a couple months earlier – ABC contacted the Higgins," said Mesisca. "The memos in-house reflect that the decision was made to provide assistance to the kids, even before their father's funeral service." But the show's producers argue that, since their contract was solely with the Leomitis family, not the siblings, there was no fraud or obligation to the Higgins siblings.