Disney News by Stitch Kingdom

Chilling Halloween Changes at Space Mountain, Spooky New Fireworks Plus Favorite Halloween Traditions Create Fun for Everyone at Disneyland Resort

Posted on September 1, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2009) – Spooky new fireworks and ghoulish screams at Space Mountain add to the fun when Halloween Time returns to Disneyland Resort Sept. 25-Nov. 1. Halloween Time offers families a chance to celebrate the season as they interact with some of Disney’s most beloved characters decked out in seasonal costumes at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks. Guests will also enjoy a unique opportunity to experience some spooky fun with Disney’s more sinister characters, the Disney villains. In addition, Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party returns for 12 special nights in October.

For older kids and adults, Halloween Time offers a new attraction: Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The scary new experience will begin as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but will suddenly launch voyagers into an uncharted and haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves of the journey are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music. The Halloween transformation occurs outside the mountain as well, as frightening images, audio and lights illuminate the Space Mountain exterior.

Also new this year is “Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies.” The new fireworks spectacular will haunt the nighttime sky throughout the Halloween season. To start the show, “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington appears in a flash of fire above Sleeping Beauty Castle. Thanks to Jack’s ghoulish charm, haunting melodies fill the air and a Halloween pyrotechnics extravaganza explodes into the night. Such classic Disney villains as Maleficent, Ursula the Sea Witch and Oogie Boogie join in the “spirit” of the celebration, and even Zero, Jack’s faithful ghost dog, will make an appearance. Spectators in Disneyland are encouraged to participate in a bone-chilling Halloween Scream-Along during the show.

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2009 Disney Legends Award Recipients to Be Honored During D23 Expo in Anaheim

Posted on September 1, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 1 — Oscar(TM)-winning actor Robin Williams, the extraordinary actresses of The Golden Girls, the voices of Donald Duck and Goofy, and other incomparable contributors to the Disney legacy will be honored on Sept. 10 at the 2009 Disney Legends Awards during the D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Disney Legends Awards are a 22-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the four-day D23 EXPO provides a rare opportunity for the public to watch the awards presentation. The awards ceremony, hosted by ABC personality Tom Bergeron, will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. It directly follows a special, one-hour presentation by Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger that kicks off the first day of the D23 EXPO – which promises to be the ultimate Disney fan event.

“This year’s recipients have had truly indelible influence on the Disney legacy,” Iger said. “Whether on screen or behind the scenes, these 10 men and women have contributed their talents in countless ways, and we are very honored to name them as Disney Legends.”

The 2009 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

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The Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) Scores 19 Daytime Emmy Awards

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

The Disney/ABC Television Group received 19 Daytime Emmy Awards at the 36th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards presented this weekend, August 29th and 30th.

ABC’s “The View” received four Daytime Emmy Awards and made history when the honor of Outstanding Talk Show Host was bestowed on Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. It was the first time in the 36 year history of NATAS that multiple talk show hosts were bestowed this honor. The women of “The View” have been nominated for 12 consecutive years in this category; this was their first win.

Other wins for ABC’s “The View” include Outstanding Directing in a Talk Show/Morning Program for Director, Mark Gentile; Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling and “Outstanding Achievement in Makeup.

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Wizards of Waverly Place Kicks off Season 3 on October 9; Wiz-tober Returns!

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom 3 Comments

Wiztober returns for the second year with a new Halloween and wizard-themed programming lineup hosted by the stars of the Emmy-nominated hit series “Wizards of Waverly Place” — Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin and Jennifer Stone. The month is highlighted by the Season Three premiere of “Wizards of Waverly Place” on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT).

Last year’s Wiztober delivered TV’s No. 1 rank in Total Day among Tweens 9-14.

“Wiz-tober” kicks off with a special encore presentation of “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie” on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), leading into an entire month of magic-filled movies, including the popular Disney Channel Original Movies “Halloweentown” and “Twitches” (and their sequels), and two installments from the popular “Harry Potter” feature film series, among others. The month also delivers the premiere of a brand new Halloween-themed episode of Disney Channel’s “JONAS” and spooky episodes of “The Suite Life On Deck” and “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

Beginning Wednesday, September 16, kids can log on to DisneyChannel.com and get printable instructions for “Call in Your Haunt,” where fans can record their own spooky haunted house sound effects. Select entries can be heard online in the Wizards of Waverly Place Haunted House, and will air on Disney Channel during the programming event.

Following the premiere episode of the new season of “Wizards of Waverly Place,” new episodes will air Friday nights throughout October. In the new season, Alex’s best friend, Harper, moves in with the Russos.

Meanwhile, Alex pursues her dream of becoming an artist and designs her own art studio inside a miniature dollhouse. Justin, in his last year of high school, plans to savor every senior year moment and to try his hand at monster hunting, and Max hones his wizard skills and becomes a serious contender in the Russo kids’ quest to become the sole heir of the family’s wizard powers.

The schedule is as follows:

Continue reading…

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Thinkway Toys’ Toy Story Definitive Collection Vol 2: John Talks About Sheriff Woody Pride

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

The second installment of the very popular video series from Disney Consumer Products has been released in which John Lasseter talks about some of the background on everybody’s favorite sheriff and the Woody doll from the Toy Story Definitive collectibles line from Thinkway Toys.

Check it out!

Here’s some of the features you’ll find with the Toy Story Definitive Collection Sheriff Woody:
* The most movie accurate Woody produced to date
* Stands 16″ tall, in movie scale to 12″ Buzz Lightyear
* Pull his string to hear one of over 50 classic ‘Woody Toy’ phrases
* Talk to him and he responds as ‘Andy’s Room Woody’
* Includes bonus sheriff star display stand
* Comes with Toy Story Collection Certificate of Authenticity

Permanent link to this post (124 words, 1 image, estimated 30 seconds reading time)

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Disney-Marvel Phone Call Updates and Reactions from the Fans

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

The investors call was short and sweet regarding the announced acquisition of Marvel Entertainment by Disney earlier this morning. With both Disney and Marvel execs on the line, Marvel remained mostly quiet as President and CEO of the Walt Disney Company Robert Iger and Disney CFO Tom Staggs held the conference call down.

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Disney Cruise Line Creating More Magic at Castaway Cay

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

CELEBRATION, Fla., Aug. 31 — Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust. Enhancements will provide guests with more water-based family-fun, additional conveniences and a slice of beachside luxury all designed to complement the idyllic island setting. The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010, in time for special five-night cruises aboard the Disney Wonder with two stops at Castaway Cay, and the Disney Dream cruise ship which starts sailing in early 2011.

Castaway Cay is consistently rated by Disney Cruise Line guests as their favorite port of call – the ultimate private island escape for adventure, relaxation and quality time with the family.

“The numerous enhancements and additions planned for Castaway Cay will take the already extraordinary guest experiences on our private island to the next level,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Whether our guests are seeking recreation or leisure – or a combination of both – they will find it at Castaway Cay, all complemented by unparalleled Disney service.”

Walt Disney Imagineers designed Castaway Cay with one-of-a-kind areas and activities for every member of the family, while celebrating the natural beauty of the 1,000-acre island. Among the crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and lush landscapes, guests soon will find the following transformations.

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Disney to Acquire Marvel Entertainment (Updated With Video Announcement)

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

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Burbank, CA and New York, NY, August 31, 2009 — Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.

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New Season of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ to Offer New ‘Tournament of Ten’ Feature

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

NEW YORK, Aug. 31 — “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” with Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, is pumping up the excitement for its eighth season by revealing ten consecutive $1-million moments this fall in the all-new Tournament of Ten. Every Millionaire show counts, as the drama unfolds for contestants vying for their spot in the tournament and an opportunity to win $1-million. An all-new season of Millionaire will premiere Monday, September 7. Check local listings or go to www.millionairetv.com.

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Toys’R'Us, Inc. and Disney Consumer Products Dress Up Their Support of Children Affected by Aids Foundation This Halloween

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 31 — Toys”R”Us, Inc. and Disney Consumer Products (DCP) today announced that Toys”R”Us will carry an expanded assortment of exclusive Disney-themed Halloween costumes for boys, girls and babies to highlight the good works of Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF). To showcase their continued support of CAAF in its mission to provide assistance to children affected by HIV/AIDS in the United States and around the world, Toys”R”Us, Inc. and DCP made a joint contribution of $50,000 to kick off the 2009 costume program.

Beginning in September, an expanded line of 25 costumes based on popular Disney characters can be found at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores and online at Toysrus.com, including beautifully crafted costumes resembling Disney Princess characters, Disney Pixar Toy Story’s “Buzz Lightyear” and “Woody”, Power Rangers, Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger, and Disney Fairies’ “Tinker Bell.” The number of costumes included in this unique program doubles the offering from last year, and each bears a recognizable hangtag featuring the CAAF logo and a united mission statement from both companies.

The hangtags, along with unique signage, will help customers identify these costumes in stores nationwide, while online shoppers can find the assortment at Toysrus.com/ExclusiveCostumes. This year, CAAF will also highlight these costumes in a series of print and broadcast public service announcements that feature CAAF’s national spokesperson Jamie Lee Curtis, and promote the organization’s signature Dream Halloween events, of which the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund and Disney Consumer Products are longtime benefactors.

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