Club Penguin Misses Goals, Giving Disney a Half-Price Deal

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May 20, 2010

Club Penguin, the subscription-based online community acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 2007, has failed to meet profit targets that were tied to $350 million in payouts to the Web site’s creators.

Disney’s purchase of Club Penguin was valued at $700 million, with half of the total paid up front and half coming in two payments based on unspecified growth thresholds. Disney disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing last May that Club Penguin had missed the first target. On Wednesday, the company confirmed that the Web site did not meet the second one.

The upshot is that a smartly structured deal prevented Disney from overpaying for a high-flying Web business that became tangled in the economic downturn. The question now is whether the site can regain its momentum as consumer spending loosens up, and by how much the targets were missed.

Click here to keep reading this article from the NY Times.

Jedi Master Mickey Mouse and R2-MK outside the Star Tours

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

Whether he is fighting the Separatist forces in the Clone Wars, or helping the galaxy with their struggles against the Galactic Empire, Jedi Master Mickey Mouse is ready to use the Force at any time. Aided by new friend astromech droid R2-MK, these allies can compete any mission in the galaxy. Join Jedi Mickey and R2-MK on their many adventures across the stars! May the Force be with you.

You can meet Jedi Mickey and R2-MK during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Interactive Studios Will Rock out This Summer with Camp Rock 2

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

Disney Interactive Studios Will Rock out This Summer with Camp Rock: The Final Jam Video Game for Nintendo DS

Camp Rock Video Game Inspired By Disney Channel Original Movie Premiering September 3

Disney Interactive Studios today announced the development of Camp Rock: The Final Jam for Nintendo DS(TM). Fans of the Camp Rock movies will become their own Camp Rocker and explore the ultimate music camp with Mitchie, Shane, Nate, Jason and other characters from the blockbuster movie as they prepare to compete against their rival, Camp Star, in the final jam.

Camp Rock: The Final Jam is a musical adventure game that will take players on a fun-filled journey through story events based on the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie, “Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam.” Fans will immerse themselves in summer fun as they explore familiar locations and experience camp activities from the movie including a water balloon fight and canoe racing. To prepare for the competition, fans will rock out to tracks from the films “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam,” as they use the stylus to play drums, bass or rhythm guitar. Players will also use the stylus to tear up the dance floor with cool moves inspired by “Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam.” In addition players will be able to express their style as they customize their avatar with cool clothing and accessories to wear around camp.

“Camp Rock: The Final Jam brings fans of the Camp Rock movies access to their favorite music and characters in a cool and interactive way,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The game delivers a blend of music and adventure that is sure to keep Camp Rock fans entertained for hours.”

Camp Rock: The Final Jam includes access to DGamer, the online community exclusively for Disney gamers on the Nintendo DS, allowing them to chat with other players and unlock additional items in their game.

Camp Rock: The Final Jam will be available for the Nintendo DS this summer and is expected to be rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Disney’s Artist Point Famed Copper River Salmon

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

We’re celebrating the annual arrival at Artist Point of Copper River salmon from Alaska, one of the few restaurants in Florida where you can taste the highly prized fish.

It goes on the menu at the restaurant at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge starting next week. The salmon is only harvested once a year in mid-May for three to four weeks from the cold, pristine waters of the Copper River, known for its prolific runs of wild salmon. If you’re used to eating farm-raised salmon, get ready for a new experience. Copper River salmon stands alone – for quality, oil content and rich flavor, with a deep orange color lets you know you’re tasting the real deal. And it’s good for you, loaded with Omega-3 oils, just what the doctor ordered.

Pair it with a glass of one of Artist Point’s boutique wines from the Pacific Northwest and get ready for a treat that’s reserved for those in the know. (End with the divine berry cobbler for a sublime dining experience.) To make a reservation, call 407-WDW-DINE.

Article and Photo from Disney Parks Blog

Inaugural 2010 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

The Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon will be run on a brand new half marathon course at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it will be run at night! Where else can you run a half marathon at night? Running through theme parks and world-class Disney entertainment along the way will make the miles fly by, but what could motivate you more than finishing inside Epcot® to an exclusive after-hours party inside the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Culinary delights and specialty drinks from around the world await you along with an inaugural finisher medal! This race experience will be the ultimate “Runner’s Night Out”. Mark your race calendars now for the race weekend with a party you don’t want to miss!

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon – Filling Up Fast
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Relay – Filling up Fast
Mickey’s Halloween Family Fun Run 5K
Disney’s Kids’ Races
Health & Fitness Expo
Finish Line Party

First Look: New Disney ‘World of Color’ Images

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

These spectacular photos come to us from the Disney Parks Blog! I would so love to be there for opening day of the World of Color!

For the first time, we can show you what one of the world’s largest projected water screens looks like when, together with other incredible effects, they create a larger-than-life Disney spectacle.

These memorable moments from “WALL-E” and “The Lion King” seem even cooler when they’re recreated in “World of Color,” don’t they? Keep in mind…what you’re seeing is a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet.

ESPN Deportes Kicks off ‘Safari Mundial’ Consumer Promotion

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

Initiative will Take 10 Winners to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando for 3D Viewing of ESPN’s Telecast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final

ESPN Deportes is giving sports fans nationwide reasons to demonstrate their passion for futbol. The network unveiled “Safari Mundial,” a consumer promotion that will take 10 lucky fans to Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida for a five day VIP experience which will culminate with a viewing of ESPN’s 3D telecast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final at ESPN Wide World of Sports.

“We are very excited to partner with Walt Disney World® Resort to offer sports fans what we know will be an unforgettable experience,” said Michelle Bella, vice president, sales and consumer Marketing, ESPN Deportes. “Other than being in South Africa, I can’t think of a better way to experience the thrill of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.”

Participants can enter the sweepstakes entry form by visiting safarimundial.espndeportes.com or via their mobile phone at m.espndeportes.com.
Ten grand-prize winners will be chosen. Each will receive roundtrip airfare, transfers in Orlando from the airport to the Animal Kingdom Lodge where they will stay for five days and four nights.
Each winner can bring up to three guests as long as they all depart from the same airport.

This incredible safari and soccer experience will take place July 8-July 12, 2010. Lucky winners will receive Park Hopper® Passes which provide entry into all of the Disney parks. They will also enjoy a welcome reception, meet and greet with Disney characters, a sunrise safari brunch, meeting famous talent in addition to enjoying many other exciting activities that are planned.

To enter the Safari Mundial contest online or via mobile, consumers must be registered for ESPNdeportes.com’s free subscription – to register visit www.espndeportes.com through May 31. During the contest period, consumers can submit one entry per person per day. The winners will be randomly selected on weekly drawings. To read more about the official rules consumer must visit http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/deportes/safarius/rules

About ESPN Deportes:

ESPN DEPORTES is ESPN’s multimedia, Spanish-language sports brand dedicated to providing the widest variety of sports to the U.S. Hispanic sports fan via television, radio, online, print, and wireless. Sports media assets include ESPN Deportes television which offers unparalleled Spanish-language sports programming, featuring more than 1,800 live and/or original hours of sports programming presented annually; ESPN Deportes Radio, the only around-the-clock national Spanish-language sports radio network in the U.S.; ESPNDeportes.com, the #1 Spanish-language sports Web site among Spanish-preferred fans in the U.S.; ESPN Deportes La Revista, the first general sports Spanish-language magazine in the U.S.; and ESPN Deportes Mobile, the brand’s emerging business which offers Spanish-language sports content to fans via wireless devices.

Disney & Goro Miyazaki’s “Ghibli’s Tales from Earthsea” gets US release

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

This article comes to us from Cartoon Brew:

Disney has just announced that it will theatrically release Goro Miyazaki’s Tales from Earthsea (Gedo Senki) in the US on August 13th under its Touchstone Pictures banner. This marks the second fully animated feature to be released under that label — the first being Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.

Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro directed this adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels in 2006. The film was held up from US distribution due to an existing non-compete arrangement with Sci-Fi Channel, over their live action mini-series based on the same material. The voice cast in Disney’s dub includes Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe, Cheech Marin and Mariska Hargitay.

For more information be sure to visit Cartoon Brew

f.y.e. Launches Family-Focused Website Celebrating Disney Movies

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

f.y.e. (For Your Entertainment) has partnered with Disney to create a family-focused website, www.foryourdisney.com to celebrate new Disney movies. Currently featured on the site is Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, available on Disney Blu-ray and DVD June 1, 2010.

f.y.e., For Your Entertainment, the nation’s largest specialty entertainment retailer, has partnered with Disney to create a family-focused website, www.foryourdisney.com

The new website celebrates the launch of new Disney movies and turns family movie night into an event! This month, families can bring “Disney Magic” home when they pre-order Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” (available on Disney Blu-ray™ and DVD June 1, 2010) and receive an official movie poster and a $5 mail-in rebate.

“We are excited about the creation of foryourdisney.com,” said Barry Burmaster, f.y.e. Director of Marketing. “This site is designed to be a fun and informative experience for Disney families.”

ForYourDisney.com features movie reviews by moms with children of various ages, as well as contests, special offers, and activities that match the theme of the featured movie. Visitors to the site can also join the FYD Club to receive up-to-date information on future Disney releases, contests, promotion, and special offers.

Currently featured on ForYourDisney.com is Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” an imaginative new twist on a beloved classic that takes Alice, now 19 years old, back to Wonderland. Visitors to ForYourDisney.com can read reviews, find fun activities such as a recipe for crumpets to have at a tea party, and find out how to pre-order the movie on Disney Blu-ray™ and DVD and receive their “Alice in Wonderland” poster and $5 mail in rebate.

Visitors can also register for the Wonderland Sweepstakes and a chance to win a $250 f.y.e. gift card! The Wonderland Sweepstakes began May 18, 2010 and concludes June 3, 2010. Fifteen daily winners will be randomly selected to receive a Disney prize pack with a $50 f.y.e. gift card; one Grand Prize winner will receive a Disney prize pack that includes a $250 f.y.e. gift card. To participate please visit www.foryourdisney.com and click on the Contest and Special Promotions tab.

DisneyWorld Event Calendar “In the Spotlight” – May 28th – June 4th

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

May 28-30

Star Wars Weekends: The power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine once again every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 21-June 13 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. The sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga includes meet-and-greet sessions with Star Wars characters, Jedi Training Academy, parades and more. This year’s event will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.”

Event activities are included in theme park admission. More info: starwars.com or disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends
This weekend’s celebrity appearances (subject to change):

Matthew Wood (voice of General Grevious in “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)
Lorne Peterson (model-maker who worked on all six Star Wars live-action films) and Tom Kane (voice of Yoda in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

June 4

Star Wars Weekends: The power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 13 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. More info: starwars.com or disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends
This weekend’s celebrity appearances (subject to change):

Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian in “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”)
Ray Park (Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace”)
Dave Filoni (director of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES – May 28 – June 4

MAGIC KINGDOM

Daily – “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” Street Party: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:40 p.m.
Daily – Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade: 3 p.m.
Special Presentation – Wishes Fireworks: May 28: 9 p.m.; May 29-June 1: 10 p.m.
Special Presentation – SpectroMagic: May 29-30: 9 p.m. & 11 p.m.; May 31, June 1, 3&4: 9 p.m.
Park Hours – May 28: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; May 29-30: 9 a.m.-12 a.m.; May 31: 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.; June 1: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; June 2-3: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; June 4: 9 a.m.- 11 p.m.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Daily – Block Party Bash: 3 p.m.
Special Presentation – Fantasmic!: May 29-30: 9 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.; June 1&3: 9 p.m.
Park Hours – May 28: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; May 29-30: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; May 31: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; June 1: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; June 2: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; June 3: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; June 4: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

EPCOT

Daily – IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth: 9 p.m.
Park Hours – Future World: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; World Showcase: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Daily – Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade: 3:45 p.m.
Park Hours – May 28-29: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; May 30-31: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; June 1-4: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

More EVENTS & ACTIVITIES – May 28 – June 4

DISNEY’S BLIZZARD BEACH

$45 ages 10 & up; $39 ages 3-9
Park Hours – May 28-29: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; May 30-June 4: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

DISNEY’S TYPHOON LAGOON

$45 ages 10 & up; $39 ages 3-9
Park Hours – May 28-29: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; May 30-June 4: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

DISNEY’S BOARDWALK

Atlantic Dance (NO COVER CHARGE); call 407/939-2444 for times
DJs playing mix of hits from the 70s through today. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 21 & over. No Cover.

Downtown Disney West Side
Cirque Du Soleil presents…May 23-June 7 – *DARK*

House of Blues presents . . .

May 28 – The Space Coast Playboys (blues): The Blues Kitchen at House of Blues; free; 10:30 p.m.
May 29 – Not Tonight Josephine, Fall of Envy, Hydrosonic, Gorillafight, Blameless (rock): House of Blues; $5; 8:30 p.m.The Space Coast Playboys (blues): The Blues Kitchen at House of Blues; free; 10:30 p.m.
May 30 – Apostle J.L. Cash & Praise (gospel brunch): House of Blues; $32.50 ages 10+/$16.25 ages 3-9; 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
June 1 – Imogen Heap with Geese (pop/rock): House of Blues; $23.25 adv/$26.25 day of; 7:30 p.m.
June 3 – GRIND featuring Chus & Ceballos (house): House of Blues; $25 adv/$30 day of; 9 p.m.
June 4 -Cheap Trick (rock): House of Blues; $36 adv/$39 day of; 8 p.m. JD Daniel Trio (blues): The Blues Kitchen at House of Blues; free; 10:30 p.m.

Marvel’s Avenger’s Day was Yesterday

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 20, 2010

If you missed it, Marvel deemed May 19th, 2010 “Avenger’s Day.” Many comic book shops celebrated with the release of the newly created Avengers comic that starts at #1. I visited two different comic book shops, and I can say first hand there was a lot of buzz about Avengers Day! I even witnessed strict DC Comics fans picking up Avengers items! As for the new book, there are several variant covers out there and I’m sure some of them will catch a higher price. Not only does this issue usher in the new Avengers series, it also helps kick start “The Heroic Age” story arc from Marvel. This new book is only one of FOUR new books being released with the Avengers moniker. In the coming months Marvel will also release the reboot (or vol. 2) of New Avengers, Secret Avengers, and Avengers Academy.

It certainly looks like Marvel is making the Avengers franchise the “center” of the Marvel universe. This is somewhat fitting given the recent popularity of the New Avengers and Mighty Avengers books done by Brian Michael Bendis. The insane success of the Iron Man movies and the palpable anticipation of the Thor and Captain America movies are also adding to this new push by Marvel for the Avengers franchise.

As well Marvel is doing some interesting advertisement for the new story arc and Avengers releases. It’s called “I am an Avenger” and attempts to capture some of that old comic magic by involving the readers and fans. Breaking the “fourth wall” has long been what comic books could achieve that other forms of media could not. This advertisement campaign attempts to tap into some of that. Check it out: I am an Avenger.

[Image Credit]

Disney Food Confession – Tonga Toast

By

Chip

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May 20, 2010

Where is it? Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Walt Disney World

What is it? Banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with Strawberry Compote

Why you want it? Hands down the best Breakfast Food at Walt Disney World!

Photo Credit: cherylmccarthy via flickr

If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected]. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!