All New from Disney Interactive Studios and Junction Point Studios! This featurette titled ‘Character Overview’ in which Junction Point’s Warren Spector provide some new details as to which characters were chosen and why.
A guest room at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, highlights traditional Hawaiian elements, including taro leave carpet and kapa designs in the curtains and duvet covers. The room is part of the accommodations at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, located in Ko Olina on Oahu, Hawaii. The resort is scheduled to open August 29, 2011.
Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories, one of the best-selling and longest-running comic books in history, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Disney expert Jim Fanning pages through its colorful story.
Disney became the proud owner of Marvel Comics in 2009, but the House that the Mouse Built has actually been a comic book powerhouse for quite some time. Witness the long-standing comic magazine that has been accurately billed as “The Best-Selling Comic Book of All Time,” Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories. First published in October 1940, this unbeatable cavalcade of Disney comic art has been dancing off newsstands and into the hands of eager readers for seven decades. Bursting from behind an eye-catching covers that are often works of art themselves, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories is chockful of hilarious antics and captivating derring-do, celebrating and spotlighting the whole Disney gang — headlined by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. In honor of its 70th anniversary, here’s a look through the artful annals of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories.
It all started with a Mouse — Mickey Mouse Magazine, that is, Walt Disney’s enormously popular periodical of the 1930s. Comic books, meanwhile, exploded onto the publishing scene in 1934, taking a super-powered leap in popularity with the introduction of Superman in 1938. To feed the ever-growing comic craze, Mickey Mouse Magazine increasingly featured more and more comics until it finally evolved into a full-fledged funny book in 1940. Entitled Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories — tantalizingly indicating the kaleidoscope of graphic novelettes that would fill its vibrant pages — this jaunty new journal was an anthology created in the wake of the popular Detective Comics (launched in 1937) and Action Comics (launched in 1938) and which introduced Batman and Superman respectively. A few Disney comic books had already been devoured by an insatiable public but Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories was the first modern-style Disney comics title.
Each month Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories would be, as the editors promised, “a new, colorful, exciting magazine filled with funny, thrilling adventures of Mickey, Donald and all the rest.” At first, its 64 pages (those were the good old days) overflowed with reprints of the Disney newspaper comic strips, but this backlog was nearly exhausted within a couple of years. Besides, the clamor then was for original comic book stories, such as those featuring super heroes. So in the December 1942 issue, #27, boasted the first all-new story, titled “The Carnival King,” which starred Joe Carioca, the freshly minted movie star of Saludos Amigos (1942). Joe was followed by a flurry other rarely spotlighted Disney celebrities, including Clara Cluck, Gremlin Gus and Tillie Tiger. Even Friend Owl from Bambi (1942) was highlighted in his own story, and that barnyard glamour gal Clarabelle Cow made the cover! Over the years, while also showcasing such Disney stalwarts as Chip ‘n’ Dale, Jiminy Cricket, and Winnie the Pooh, the “character actors” of the Disney oeuvre, such as Brer Rabbit, Ludwig Von Drake and the marvelous Mad Madam Mim, flourished in the character-friendly pages of Walt Disney’s Comics.
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Radio Disney, the number one radio network for kids, tweens and families, teamed with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky to promote childhood health and wellness through the “Get Active Get Fit!” School Challenge. The program, hosted by Radio Disney, will be implemented in over 115 elementary schools in 87 districts through Nov. 27, furthering a commitment to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle among 42,000 of Kentucky’s school-age children.
Designed to motivate kids and families to achieve fitness together by engaging in fun activities, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield “Get Active Get Fit!” School Challenge will award Radio Disney Dance Parties in Kentucky to the top 20 schools with the highest percentage of participation. Superintendents registered their schools for the challenge and the chance to win new gym equipment (valued at $500) for a school in their district.
Because of this partnership, nearly 500,000 students are participating in the “Get Active Get Fit!” School Challenge across the country. States include: California, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, Upstate New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin. For Radio Disney, the network’s involvement in the program demonstrates its commitment to inspiring healthier lifestyles for kids and families supporting Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living effort.
Radio Disney is the No. 1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free phone line to the Radio Disney studio. The network’s current playlist, driven by listener requests and representing major record labels, includes recording artists Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato and Allstar Weekend. The network is available on over 35 terrestrial radio stations and is also available via RadioDisney.com, Sirius and XM satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones and on the Radio Disney iPhone App.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Kids, submit your best tip for healthier living to Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living The Weekend Contest and you could be one of 50 lucky people to win a trip for four to Disney World. Each prize is worth over $4,000!
WHAT: The Schwartz Family of Boston, MA have been selected as the winners of the sweepstakes to “Unlock Imagination” at the grand opening ceremony of Disney Store Times Square on November 9. The family of four was chosen from nearly 10,000 entries in a week-long contest hosted by Disney Store and Family.com. 9-year-old Aden and 5-year-old Trevor will play a starring role in the magical festivities- taking to the stage to turn the key to imagination and officially unlock the brand-new Disney Store. During their 3-day/2-night stay in New York City, the family will have a front row seat to all the magical festivities including a star-studded parade featuring some of Disney’s most beloved characters. The lucky family will receive a $250 shopping spree and a private VIP reception with award winning singer Jordin Sparks after watching her perform Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” theme song, which she re-recorded to celebrate the 2010 release of the Blu-Ray and DVD.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Disney Store
Times Square
1540 Broadway
Manhattan, NY 10036
VISUALS:
– Disney Store “unlocking the imagination” of the newly designed store
– Parade showcasing some of Disney’s most recognizable characters
– Special performance of the “Beauty and the Beast” Theme Song by Jordin Sparks
– Disney Store fans experiencing new store for the first time
Disney Institute introduced today a redesign of one of its core programs, Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence, with more focus on current leadership practices among top Walt Disney Company executives.
Anchored by Disney’s renowned leadership model, the Chain of Excellence, the new and improved Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence program focuses on how leadership, cast excellence, and guest satisfaction work together to result in financial success.
“Strong leadership is at the core of everything we do at Disney,” says Jeff James, vice president, Disney Institute. “Without it, we would not be the world’s most admired entertainment company. We teach participants in our programs how to take our leadership model and translate it to their business – regardless of industry.”
The updated program design concentrates more on the individual – why they’ve sought Disney Institute training and how to apply what they’ve learned after the program within their own organization. Emphasizing interactive discussions among participants, the new format allows more time to brainstorm new concepts and develop action plans with the help and insight of fellow professionals. Innovative technology is also involved to gage how participants are responding to the content enabling facilitators to adapt their presentations based on the needs of their audience.
“We have a high caliber of talented businesspeople from a variety of different industries attend our programs,” said Jeff James. “The redesigned format gives more time for group discussions allowing participants to tap into a unique resource and hear insight from other professionals just like them.”
Content also has been expanded to include more examples from outside Disney parks and resorts, including ABC, ESPN and Walt Disney Studios, and with a more international flavor. Content from the parks and resorts include new backstage experiences, collaborative group activities and application-based exercises to help participants recognize and embrace their role in the training.
Participants are also provided with tools to help prepare them before and after the program. A one-sheet analysis is expected to be completed prior to the program to get professionals in the mind frame to build and communicate their business vision. Following the program, they are given an opportunity to capture all of their thoughts and ideas in a simple portfolio that can serve as the perfect platform to introduce new concepts to their own organizations.
Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence is available in both public and private formats through Disney Institute. Public programs are open to anyone who wishes to enroll at locations around the world, including the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.
New Year’s Eve is a special evening at the Cirque du Soleil theater at Downtown Disney as the cast sets the stage for the New Year with artful performances of La Nouba toasted with a sip of champagne. Guests will also receive a special limited-edition La Nouba pin created for the New Year’s Eve event.
Tickets for the Dec. 31 performances are available by calling 407/939-7328 or at the box office at the plaza level of the theater. More info: cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba.
For more than 20 years, Super Bowl heroes have looked into a camera and shouted, “I’m going to Disney World!” In a twist on that famous TV commercial, about 1,600 youth football players from across the country will be proclaiming “We’re going to Disney World!” this fall … in the quest for Super Bowl glory.
The players are members of 64 Pop Warner Little Scholars football teams that will earn spots in the Pop Warner Super Bowl Dec. 4-11 on the fields of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. Teams nationwide battle through local and regional playoffs to earn spots in the Super Bowl field. There are teams in four divisions based on size and age – Jr. Pee Wee (ages 8-10 yrs.), Pee Wee (9-11 yrs.), Jr. Midget (10-12 yrs.) and Midget (11-14 yrs.).
In addition to football, Pop Warner activity at Disney also includes hundreds of squads competing in the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships. More info: popwarner.com.
When it comes to enjoying the magic of the holiday season with family and friends, there’s no place like Disneyland Resort. The holidays will shine brightly throughout the resort from Nov. 12 through Jan. 2, 2011, as guests create memories for a lifetime.
Guests will enjoy the return of Disneyland Resort’s most popular offerings, including special holiday versions of “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion, along with “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, colorful holiday décor and a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Other holiday highlights at Disneyland will include the traditional snowdrifts and icicles adorning Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. After dark a sensational holiday lighting and special effects show will carry the magic of the holidays from the castle all the way to the Christmas tree in Town Square. The 60-foot-tall Disneyland Christmas tree is specially designed to present a nightly holiday light show like no other with more than 62,000 energy-efficient LED lights.
The Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle presentation unfolds throughout the evening in three acts, each of them featuring a touch of winter snow on Main Street, U.S.A. The finale of the show includes the legendary “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, which takes guests on a journey of sights and sounds of the season and ends with a touching rendition of “White Christmas,” along with a climactic snowfall swirling down on Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” Mall and New Orleans Square.
A holiday tradition in Disneyland is “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, in which Disney characters join together to celebrate the magic of the season. Guests can watch as the characters wrap gifts, bake holiday treats and prepare for the arrival of Santa Claus, who shouts a jolly greeting to spectators along the parade route. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse even take to the ice for some skating fun.
Themed entertainment, sparkling decorations and tasty treats add festive warmth to holiday fun at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Guests also will be able to book guided holiday tours that provide entry into “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved seating for the Disneyland “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a keepsake remembrance, and entertaining information about the history behind Disneyland holiday traditions. For information and reservations guests can visit Disneyland City Hall or call 714/781-4400.
Returning holiday favorites at Disneyland park include:
Disney California Adventure park celebrates the season with fanciful park-wide decorations and lively entertainment.
Guests in Disney California Adventure won’t want to miss the other park entertainment, highlighted by the all-new “World of Color” nighttime water spectacular, which brings its own brand of after-dark magic to the Paradise Bay lagoon. Meanwhile, in the entry plaza of Disney California Adventure and the adjoining Hollywood Pictures Backlot district, the immersive “ElecTRONica” nighttime street party will put guests of all ages “on the grid” and into the environment of the new Walt Disney Pictures feature, “TRON: Legacy.” “ElecTRONica” parties take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and nightly from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2. “ElecTRONica” will continue into spring 2011.
Also part of the regular Disney California Adventure attractions and entertainment lineup:
The Downtown Disney district and the Disneyland Resort hotels will join in the merriment with twinkling lights and ornaments, special entertainment and holiday dining. Expanded hours at both Disneyland Resort theme parks will extend the holiday fun. For more information about holidays at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com/holidays.
Disneyland Resort features two fantastic theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The resort’s three hotels are the luxurious 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 970-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its day-at-the-beach fun. For information on new attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.
This article comes to us from the LA Times.
If the employees at the Disney Archives have a time capsule, they’ll want to file the Disney Dance Crew under “The Way We Were” circa 2010. Decades from now, the archivists will want to pull out the video of Mixmaster Mickey Mouse hip-hop dancing to mash-ups of urban street sounds and familiar Disney songs as yet another example of Disney’s never-ending desire to stay current with pop culture.
Years from now, we’ll laugh, cringe and marvel at Disney’s valiant but vain efforts to remain contemporary with bad fashion, bad puns and bad ideas. At the moment, we can only ask, “What were they thinking?”
On the whole, the Disney California Adventure show, which made its official debut Oct. 22 after a soft opening few days before, left me torn when I viewed it last week. I was amazed by the animatronic advances made by Walt Disney Imagineering yet befuddled by Disney’s foolhardy decision to turn the company’s renowned icon into Gangsta Mickey.
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Photo Credit Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is giving fans the ultimate TRON experience by hosting the official, one and only TRON: Legacy Pop-Up Shop with displays and merchandise inspired by the high-tech 3D adventure, TRON: Legacy, releasing in U.S. theaters Dec. 17, 2010 in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, this six week-long retail destination for men and women of all ages will offer one-of-a-kind, limited-edition TRON merchandise at the café, retail concept shop, and art exhibition space Royal/T in Culver City, CA — November 19 through December 23, 2010 from 10 a.m. — 6 p.m. daily, with extended hours on Wednesdays to 10 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.
“Our TRON: Legacy merchandise line offers a wide range of items for all —whether you’re a die-hard fan or just an avid fan of design, imagination and technology,” said Pam Lifford, executive vice president of fashion and home for Disney Consumer Products. “We’ve had great response from fans on the line overall and the TRON Pop-Up Shop is a special way to bring it all together for them while spotlighting those one-of-a-kind pieces they can’t find anywhere else.”
Debuting as the first concept pop-up shop ever to be hosted by DCP, the TRON retail shop operated by larry abel / de-signs will curate and sell TRON merchandise from Monster, adidas, Hurley, Oakley, Spin Master, Han Cholo, New Era, Threadless, select titles from Disney Publishing’s TRON line and much more. In addition to this lineup, new TRON product will be introduced regularly throughout the shop’s six-week duration. Every week, until the movie opens, visitors can stop by the TRON Pop-Up Shop and enter to win a family four-pack of 3D advance screening passes to see TRON: Legacy, with a winner announced every TRON Tuesday (no purchase necessary). While supplies last, guests can also score a free mini TRON: Legacy movie poster with a pop-up shop purchase.
Inspired by the safe house seen in the upcoming film, The TRON Pop-Up Shop design consists of clean, smooth curves and open spaces giving way to a creative use of light that combines natural and artificial lighting to give the shop its modern, almost digital, feel. Get a sneak peek at early concept art renderings here: http://bit.ly/TRONPopUpShop
In celebration of the pop-up shop at Royal/T and upcoming TRON news, DCPs official Facebook page– Disney Living has added a TRON Facebook tab that will host behind-the-scenes photo galleries, the latest product releases, exclusive video content from the TRON Pop-Up Shop and a schedule of upcoming TRON events in the Southern California area.
TRON Pop-Up Product Drop Schedule:
Nov. 19 – In addition to the array of pop-up shop merchandise for sale, limited quantities will be available from the TRON: Legacy couture collection for women designed by high-end designers Jerome C. Rousseau, Hayden-Harnett, Rotenier and TomTom, ranging in price from $90 – $2,600. As an exclusive for visitors, the TRON-inspired pieces from Los Angeles–based jewelry brand TomTom will only be available at retail at the TRON Pop-Up.
Nov. 30 – This week is especially designed for athletes and action-film fanatics. Limited edition products inspired by TRON: Legacy available this week include: an adidas compression top ($45), styling TRON board shorts from Hurley ($65) and special edition TRON: Legacy 3D eyewear from Oakley ($150).
Dec. 3 – Three different sets of limited-edition collectible artwork ($28.99-$76.99) selected directly from the film, plus actual film frames of different scenes from TRON: Legacy.
Dec. 7 – Soundtrack CD: The original motion picture score for TRON: Legacy composed and produced by the critically-acclaimed, Grammy-winning duo Daft Punk.
Special TRON Pop-Up Shop Events:
Dec. 17 – Fans can trade in their TRON: Legacy movie stub and collect a TRON keepsake available only on this date and for the first 300 people during Royal/T gallery hours.
Dec. 18 – Fans are welcome to join TRON Family Fun Day from Noon to 4 p.m. with art activities for the whole family including decorating a mini-lightcycle from Spin Master.
TRON Café Menu
A special TRON-themed menu will be offered at Royal/T’s Japanese “cosplay” maid café during the course of the pop-up shop with TRON-inspired menu items such as a Reco Burger with Buffalo Sauce, Chipotle Aioli and Fried Onion Rings ($12); a Lightcycle Salad with Endives, Caramelized Oranges, and Toasted Pecans in a Yuzu Vinaigrette ($8); an Identity Disk Cake with White Chocolate Lava Cake and Blueberry Sauce ($6); alongside a shareable TRON: Legacy High Tea set featuring assorted Sweets and Savory Canapés, served with a choice of Tea ($25).
For additional details on the TRON Pop-Up Shop and the latest information on product deliveries and public events, visit Royal/T. Located in Culver City, Royal/T is a playful blending of café, concept shop, and art exhibition space. The 10,000-square-foot space reflects the interior realm of fantasy that strongly influences the artist’s included in owner Susan Hancock’s art collection. Royal/T’s café is inspired by the meido kissa (maid café) phenomena of Akihabara, Tokyo’s electronic district. Re-contextualizing the underground culture of Japan that celebrates “cosplay” (costume play), waitresses dressed in maid uniforms with a Lolita-esque touch, while serving an amalgam of French and Japanese cuisine with local California style. The art space showcases curated exhibitions with a focus on Japanese contemporary art; and an inventive concept store emulates the collection’s sophistication, a seamless merging of Japanese pop culture and high-end design. Royal/T is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The Royal/T café is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, with extended hours on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. The concept store and space are open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Walk-ins are welcome. For additional information, guests can call Royal/T at 310.559.6300 and visit www.royal-t.org. Royal/T is also on Facebook and Twitter.
