Layoffs at Disney Interactive

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September 10, 2012

Last week, in what is being termed restructuring has more than 50 employees at Disney Interactive lost their jobs. As part of the online unit’s future plans to remain competitive in their industry, the action was deemed necessary. In January 2011, the division laid off approximately 200 employees, making this week’s round of layoffs the second in less than two years. The first round was called “a reorganization”.

The online unit is responsible for Disney.com and some other smaller properties, such as the Moms and Family property Babble, which was acquired by Disney last November, among others. These layoffs are only affecting the online unit at Disney Interactive. The Games group which is as well part of Disney Interactive, which develops video games like the popular Disney Epic Mickey franchise was not affected.

Disney Interactive’s online unit employees around 2,000 people, making the layoffs reduce the work force by about 3%. The terminated employees were given notice this week and it was completed this past Wednesday.

New Footage From ‘Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ Revealed Revealing Fort Wasteland (chipandco.com)
Disney Celebrates its 1-Billionth Video View on YouTube with Exclusive Programming Event (chipandco.com)

Star Wars Celebration Returns to Europe July 2013

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2012

Fresh from the heels of another spectacular Star Wars Celebration, the largest Star Wars convention will once again head to Europe next July! Join the Party July 26-28, 2013 in Messe Essen, Germany. Be sure to check out StarWarsCelebration.eu for more information and to purchase tickets later this year!

Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate fan experience — focused on a galaxy far, far away…

The biggest party this side of the galaxy, Star Wars Celebration brings fans of all ages together, from all points of the globe, to celebrate the pop-culture phenomenon that is Star Wars. Whether its young fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars or die-hards fueled by the nostalgia for the original Star Wars trilogy; curious, casual followers; gamers, readers, costumers or collectors — there’s something for everyone at Celebration.

Both hardcore and casual fans will gather to have fun while celebrating their passion for all things Star Wars, discovering what’s new, and being the first to see what’s next. It’s four fun-filled days of exhibits, a vibrant, interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, and other surprises.

Star Wars Celebration delivers a landmark experience where memories are made, families brought together, old friends reunited, and new friendships formed — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.

Exclusive Savings for 2013 Walt Disney World Vacations!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2012

“Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust…” that’s what I have and I’m going to share it all with you. Pixie Vacations has announced special exclusive savings for a variety of 2013 travel dates. Mainly focusing around those popular events and seasons we can save you boatloads for your upcoming trips! To give you an idea, a family of four can have a complete Disney vacation package for as little as $101 per person per night. Deluxe resorts offer a savings of up to $800 for a family of 4!

The packages all include:

Accommodations at a select Walt Disney World Resort
Magic Your Way Base Tickets (can be upgraded to Hopper or Water Park Fun and More)
Dining Plan
A FREE DisneyQuest or Disney Water Park Ticket

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Coming Soon on the Disney Channel is a New Comedy Titled “Dog With a Blog”

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2012

A brand new comedy series about a blended family and their talking and blogging dog premieres October 12th on the Disney Channel. “Dog With A Blog” has an interesting and new twist that it brings, based on the story being told from a canine point of view.

The comedy series follows Stan, the newest member of the family who is a recently adopted shelter dog; step siblings – Tyler, Avery and Chloe; and their parents Bennett and Ellen. The series begins with the blended family struggling with all the step siblings who are not getting along. Bennett decides to adopt Stan in hopes to help the family bond together over love for the dog and the daily responsibility for taking care of him. When the kids find out the dog can talk…well that makes the kids have a secret to keep together and bonding begins! The canine point of view helps the kids through life lessons and ultimately becomes the secret to the family bonding.

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You Really Can’t Miss This: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2012

You Really Can't Miss This: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure!

I am always amazed by what people miss when they go to Disney World. It seems like in the fast paced buzz of it all, often times, many of my park favorites are left off of to do lists! That’s why, I am surprised to hear that friends and family have come back from trips to Disney World and act like they’ve never even heard of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids play area. I am always amazed as I describe in detail the oversized Playdough Can, giant film slides, and humongous ant and get a blank stare back at me. I almost always say, “I don’t know how you missed it!”. My astonishment is almost always met with astonishment of an equal caliber! Today we are taking a look at the attraction that is literally larger than life! The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure takes you into a magical world where you feel like you’ve been shrunk by Wayne Szalinski’s amazing shrinking machine! This play area holds fond childhood memories…I simply can’t miss it! Today I am giving you my top 3 reasons you shouldn’t either!

1. It is fun for all!

I love this attraction because it really is fun for EVERYONE! From kids and (wannabe to be kids) sliding down a larger than life film strip slide and crawling through spider webs to parents soaking in the magic of the moment for their children, this attraction really does have something for everyone. I love the idea of taking a break from the go-go-go of the parks by simply enjoying the play area. I love that there is plenty of shade, fans, and a cool spot to get splashed by the hose. The cool thing is that I have pictures of me as a child on the play area and now my sweet little nephew enjoying it. There really is something for everyone to enjoy in this attraction!

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100 Disney Foods to Eat Before you Die Challenge

By

Chip

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September 9, 2012

How daring have you been while eating at Walt Disney World? Are you the adventurous type who tries everything and anything? Or are you more conservative and stick with what you know and like?

We created this Disney Food Challenge to see where exactly you fall on the Disney World Food Addict Chart. Keep score how many you have tried and at the end you will be graded on how you have done.

Please note while I would love to list every item at Disney World it would be impossible. These are just some of the Signature Items at the Walt Disney World theme park that I think most people are familiar with.

Magic Kingdom

Dole Whip – Aloha Isle
Ice cream sundae cupcake – Main Street Bakery
Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar – Ice Cream Carts
Mickey Mouse Shaped Pretzel – Frontierland Pretzel Wagon
Popcorn – Pop Corn Carts
Hot Dog – Casey’s Corner
Nutella and fresh fruit waffle sandwich – Sleepy Hollow
Funnel Cake – Sleepy Hollow
Rice Crispy Treat – Main Street Confectionery
Hamburger and Fixins – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
The ‘Plaza’ Ice Cream Sundae – Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
Lobster Roll – Columbia Harbour House
Mickey Mouse Waffle – Crystal Palace
New England Pot Roast – Liberty Tree Tavern
Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake – Liberty Tree Tavern
Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel – Lunching Pad
Citrus Swirl – Sunshine Tree Terrace

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Disney Confidential – What May be Coming to Epcot… Is It a New Meet and Greet Area?

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Anonymouse

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September 9, 2012

Here there guys and gals Anonymouse here. I have some juicy gossip for you on this Sunday Morning.

A new meet and greet may be coming to EPCOT (okay it is) according to the recently filed construction permits. Disney has not yet confirmed or commented on the addition of what is described as “Epcot – Front of Park meet and greet” in the permit (but they will).

I can only imagine the characters we can plan on seeing…if they use the building that housed the kennel you may see ~~Chimp~~ Chip going about his daily routine. When they closed the kennel they forgot to tell Chip it was time to move on! Other than that maybe we will see new characters like Merida making her debut there and have a mini highlands games like they did this past summer.

There are a few areas that make obvious choices such as I mentioned, the now vacant building that housed the kennel, or maybe the area off to the right-side of the entrance which is currently being used for the characters to meet.

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Lucasfilm Announces Back-to-back 3D Releases for Star Wars Episodes II and III Fall 2013

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 8, 2012

On the final day of Star Wars Celebration VI Lucasfilm let the cat out the bag regarding the future 3D releases of the Star Wars prequel films.

Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox have announced the official release dates for the 3D theatrical launch of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Attendees at the closing ceremony for Star Wars Celebration VI, the franchise’s massive fan event, learned that the epic movies that chronicle the rise of the Galactic Empire will be released back-to-back, with Episode II hitting theaters on September 20, 2013 and Episode III arriving soon after on October 11, 2013.

With its deeply detailed worlds and engulfing action, Star Wars is perfectly suited for the immersive 3D theatrical experience. Episode II and III deliver such captivating locales as the gleaming clone hatcheries of rain-swept Kamino, and the fiery lava planet of Mustafar as well as spectacular action sequences like Yoda’s unforgettable debut as a lightsaber duelist, the explosive space and ground battles of the Clone Wars, and the dramatic showdown between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.

Supervised by Industrial Light & Magic, the meticulous 3D conversion was undertaken by Prime Focus, the global visual entertainment services company. With their proprietary View-D™ process, Prime Focus transformed Episode II and III into 3D with the utmost respect for the source material, and with a keen eye for both technological consideration and artistic intentions.

Read more about my Star Wars Celebration VI coverage at JediMouseketeer.com.

Lucasfilm Visual Effects Supervisors Dennis Muren and John Knoll Give Exclusive Look at Star Wars – Episode II: Attack of the Clones in 3D at Celebration VI (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)

Lucasfilm Announces Back-to-back 3D Releases for Star Wars Episodes II and III Fall 2013

‘Army Wives: Season Six – Part One’ Comes to DVD September 18, 2012

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 8, 2012

Fans of the Disney produced, Lifetime drama, ‘Army Wives’ will be happy to see that ‘Army Wives: The Complete Sixth Season – Part One’ is coming to DVD on September 18, 2012. The show follows the military families in Fort Marshall, SC as these military wives come closer together dealing with all the hardships that life continues to put the, through. It’s one of the most emotionally fueled shows I’ve ever seen, and I know fans of the series will be happy to have this first part of the sixth season on DVD.

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Party Company Sued for Copyright and Trademark Infringement by Disney and Others…

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 8, 2012

The Party Animals LLC and owner Jason Lancaster are being sued by DC Comics, Disney and Sanrio for copyright and trademark infringement according to the lawsuit filed last week. The lawsuit alleges that the entertainment company is using costumes that breach Disney, DC Comics and Sanrio’s protected licenses for popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Hello Kitty, to name a few.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles, charges the defendants with using and renting costumes that resemble the protected companies characters and logos in violation of copyright and trademark laws. The Party Animal LLC uses these costumes for birthday parties and corporate parties.

“[The Party Animals] is actively selling, offering for sale, renting, distributing or manufacturing unlicensed and counterfeit costumes, which incorporate unauthorized likenesses of the animated or live action characters or other logos owned by plaintiffs,” the complaint said. “[The] defendants have never been authorized by the plaintiffs to distribute the plaintiffs’ copyrighted properties.”

The Party Animals advertise on their website these “Look-a-Like Characters” and lists them as “Green Superhero” and “Spider-Hero”. The website also includes photos of people dressed as Buzz Lightyear, Captain America, Supergirl, and many others.

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The Joys Of Online Check-In

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 8, 2012

Counting down to your Disney vacation is part of the fun of going. As the anticipation builds we all get more and more excited to finally GO and it gets harder and harder to focus on work or school or other day to day concerns. Disney understands, I think, and offers us something useful to do during our countdowns — Walt Disney World’s Online Check-In service.

Online Check-In becomes available ten days from your arrival date, and a helpful reminder will pop up at the top of your reservation page on the Walt Disney World website to tell you so. Simply click on the link and you’re taken to a page where Disney asks for your estimated arrival and departure times, names of the guests in your party, a credit card for “incidentals,” your address and a phone number where you can be contacted while traveling. There is also a spot on the web page to enter room requests which varies by resort as to what options are offered.

The idea of Online Check-In is to speed up the actual check-in process when the big day arrives and you finally walk into your Disney resort‘s lobby. There will be a line designated for Online Check-In users and this is theoretically shorter and faster moving than the tradition check-in lines. Disney explains it by saying it gives the Cast Member working with you more time to “focus on providing helpful information and answering your questions.” In any case, if the desk is busy, there’s a good chance the few minutes spent on the website doing online check-in prior to leaving will save you at least that much time during your actual check-in.

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Disney World’s Transportation System is Making Some Minor Changes

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 8, 2012

Yellow Monorail

Walt Disney Transportation is focused on growth, efficiency, guest satisfaction and safety and because of this they have realized they need to make some changes to all the ways they transport guests around Walt Disney World. Walt Disney Transportation has had park guests grumbling for years based on slow bus service or lines, but a few changes to improve this have been completed recently and more are to come over the next few years.

“Here (Disney World) it’s about guest experience, people going on vacation,” said Sam Lau, Vice President of Walt Disney World Transportation, “It’s a very different atmosphere and mindset … expectation is high.” Sam added that on average, up to half of all the guests on Disney property use their transportation system. “Even some of the folks who drive here will leave their car and take the monorail, buses and boats,” added Sam.

Out of all the methods Disney has of transporting guests around each day, the bus system leads the way with the most guest transports, following in second and third are the monorail and boats. There are no changes currently planned for the boat system.

Buses

As we know, Disney has a lot of buses that help shuttle guests around all day long. In fact, Disney has 319 buses in their fleet making them larger than the Orlando Lynx System (Lynx has about 280).

As Disney plans on even more growth in the future with big expansions like the New Fantasyland and Art of Animation Resort, they needed to expand the bus system even more and added almost 30 new buses to their fleet. They are also testing larger buses to help transport more guests at one time and have found some that work well and will be on the list to purchase soon.

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