Archive for January, 2009

Universal’s Super Bowl Superhuman Ad

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New Music for Disneyland’s Small World

The addition of Disney characters and the rainforest scene isn’t all that guests will encounter when they re-acquaint themselves with the Disney theme park classic “it’s a small world.” The LA Times Travel Blog discusses how one of the world’s most famous theme songs is getting a makeover as well – including the fusion of music from several classic Disney films.

Panda Style Reigns Supreme at Annies

The Hollywood Reporter reports on the winners of the 36th Annual Annie awards for animation held Friday night in Los Angeles. It was DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda that did the cleaning last night picking up a total of 10 awards including best animated feature, that’s even more than the previous best feature winner, Pixar’s Ratatouille. Kung Fu even took the award for the best animated short for the bonus Secrets of the Furious Five included on the DVD.

The bad news? Since 2001, when the best animated feature was first introduced, every winner has gone on to win the best animated picture at the Oscars except for one year: ironically enough, it was Cars that won the Annie in 2007 but lost the Oscar to Happy Feet. Can Wall*E score another upset?

Aaron Stone’s Hero Rising Part I Now on iTunes

The first part of the 2 part series premiere of the future Disney XD show Aaron Stone is available for free now on iTunes. Direct link.

Walt Disney World Park Hours For May 2009 Published

Preliminary park hours are now being posted on the international versions of the Walt Disney World calendar. Unfortunately issues with the international calendar are preventing TimeKeeper from updating itself, although I hope to rectify this soon. Until then, enjoy these direct links to the calendar (no entertainment information has been posted as of yet):

Epcot

Animal Kingdom

Typhoon Lagoon

Blizzard Beach

The other parks have not yet been posted.

American Idol Experience Media Event – February 12

As I announced a week ago in this post, David Cook is set to perform at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on February 12 in honor of the American Idol Experience which marks its official opening on February 14. Cook is expected to perform twice throughout the day: the first performance as part of an appearance on Good Morning America and the second as part of a Media Event which begins at 4:30 PM. The Media Event is a private event and will not be open to guests in the park unfortunately. There is still some speculation as to whether guests will be invited to the GMA performance, so all hope is not yet lost.

In related news, AI runner-up Jason Castro has announced that he will also be appearing at the event by way of his official site. Castro also breaks the news that the event will include ‘over 25 American Idol personalities’ in a motorcade up Hollywood Boulevard.

Disneyland Feeds Boat, Trams & Trains With Leftovers

ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its ongoing commitment to the environment, Disneyland Resort announced two innovative environmental initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The Resort has begun using compressed natural gas to fuel its guest trams and recycled cooking oil to power its Disneyland Railroad steam trains and Mark Twain riverboat. Read more…

Sulley & ‘Life-size’ Stitch VCDs Coming 2nd Quarter

Sideshow Collectibles is bringing two new Disney Vinyl Collectible Dolls (VCDs) from Japan’s Medicom Toys to the US later this year. First up is a ‘life-size’ Stitch sitting tall at just above 18″ and weighing in at around 25 lbs. Sulley’s about 8.7″ tall. Both are available for pre-order and expected to ship in late May.

MTV Previews Race to Witch Mountain Superbowl Ad

MTV has made available an online video of the superbowl ad promoting the new film Race to Witch Mountain. See it here.

ABC To Cut 5% of Workforce

LOS ANGELES, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) plans to lay off 200 people at its ABC division, a Disney executive familiar with the situation said, underscoring the media industry’s struggle with sliding ad sales. Read more…