Disney News by Stitch Kingdom

Florida Special Olympics Celebrates Summer Games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 17, 2009 — Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex recently hosted the 37th annual Special Olympics Florida Summer Games, marking the 23rd year that Walt Disney World Resort has supported the event.

More than 2,000 athletes from 42 Florida counties competed in track and field, soccer, tennis, cycling, bocce and volleyball. Making it possible were more than 1,200 volunteers, including many Disney Cast Members.

“When our Special Olympics athletes have the opportunity to compete at a world-class athletic facility like Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex, it’s not only an unparalleled competitive experience for them, but they feel like the champions they truly are,” said Monty Castevens, president of Special Olympics Florida.

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‘DIANA–The People’s Princess’, a One-of-a-Kind Experience, is Coming to Downtown Disney Orlando (Updated)

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

UPDATE: According to the Foundation’s website, the exhibit is set to open July 1

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc. (PPCF) is bringing “DIANA–The People’s Princess” – a major new exhibit of royal artifacts – to Walt Disney World Resort. Opening in early July 2009, this limited-time experience showcases the life and story of one of the most iconic and inspirational figures in recent history, including a sampling of the royal dresses Diana chose to auction for charity and hundreds of authentic artifacts relating to her life.

“DIANA–The People’s Princess” exhibit will be held in a 17,500-square-foot setting at Downtown Disney West Side adjacent to DisneyQuest. This unique exhibition is one of the largest collections of royal dresses and rare artifacts ever assembled for an American audience which provides an in-depth historical perspective of her life. The exhibit includes five rarely seen royal dresses worn by Princess Diana.

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Thomas Kinkade’s Newest Disney Dreams Painting Pre-vealed

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom 1 Comment

Here I was thinking I was being the coy and clever one when all along, it turns out that Thomas Kinkade’s newest entry into the Disney Dreams collection has already made its debut on the net. A couple (and I stress a couple) of art dealers offering Kinkade’s work have published the latest entry which you’ll find pictured below, titled Tinker Bell & Peter Pan Fly to Neverland.

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What Won’t You Celebrate? Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration to Close June 27

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom 2 Comments

Attractions magazine has recently reported on its blog that the spankin’ brand new and highly ill-received Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration in the Magic Kingdom has posted its closing notice for June 27 with no intention to return as some have previously reported.

The song and dance show which features an interactive portion with Stitch a la Turtle Talk has been inducing groans, drawing few crowds and producing even fewer laughs since it debuted earlier this year. There are plenty of videos of the performances available on youtube for your viewing displeasure. It has also added fuel to those who feel that Stitch has been oversaturated within the parks (we respectfully disagree) and has become a virtual band-aid for Tomorrowland. Quality will always trump quantity.

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Thomas Kinkade ‘Hints’ at Subject of Next Disney Dreams Collection Painting

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

Note: We have since published an image of the new Thomas Kinkade painting titled ‘Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland.’ You can see it here.

On his blog, Thomas Kinkade (dubbed ‘The Painter of Light’) offered the first hint at the subject of his next entry in the Disney Dreams Collection series. The collection re-creates magic moments in Disney classic films and consists of two entries so far: Snow White Discovers the Cottage and Pinocchio Wishes Upon A Star. Kinkade has also produced paintings of the castles at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts.

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Disney And Asus Launch Netbook Computer For Kids (Photo Gallery)

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom 1 Comment

GLENDALE, Calif. – June 17, 2009 – Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and ASUS, maker of the pioneering Eee PC™ netbook, have collaborated to develop the Disney Netpal, a netbook computer for children that’s fun, web-safe and easy to use. Developed with parents and kids in mind, the Disney Netpal by ASUS is durable, with a reinforced mechanical design, and offers a truly magical and engaging computing experience with a unique Disney user interface. Features include more than 40 robust parental control options, an 8.9-inch LCD display, Wi-Fi capabilities, Windows XP Home, and kid-friendly software featuring Disney characters and icons in stunning visual environments. Browsers and email have extra filters to assure that parents are able to control online safety and content for their children, and can easily select with whom their children can correspond via email. The Disney Magic Desktop “gadget tray” offers a creatively designed 2D menu displaying Disney-themed email, Disney-themed browser and a robust suite of Disney-themed parental control options.

With a user interface that is incredibly easy to use for both kids and parents, from package to set-up in four simple steps, the Disney Netpal will be available in late July in two models with prices based on features. The Disney Netpal by ASUS is designed for kids ages 6-12. Retailers include Toys”R”Us and Amazon.com, and the suggested retail price is $349.99. Carrying cases will also be available separately.

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Landmark Disneyland Hotel to Undergo Significant Renovation

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

ANAHEIM, CALIF. June 16, 2009 – Beginning in August 2009, Southern California’s landmark Disneyland Hotel will start a significant renovation project that will include major improvements to its guest rooms and considerable changes to the exterior of the hotel. The hotel will remain open during the renovation, which will be conducted in phases, and is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

“We are excited to embark on the largest and most extensive renovation of one of Disney’s classic hotels,” said Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier. “This renovation provides us with the opportunity to bring new magic to this historic hotel, which enables us to enhance the Disney experience that our guests have come to expect. “It also reinforces our ongoing commitment and investment in the Anaheim Resort District – working with the city and area businesses to continue to evolve the District into a world-class, multiday tourist destination,” added Grier.

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New Walt Disney World Resort Guest Benefit: Free Golf Club Rental

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

Now, guests staying on site at a Disney owned and operated resort at Walt Disney World can receive a complimentary Titlelist or Cobra golf club rental with purchase of a full round of golf at any of the Walt Disney World golf courses.

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Asus to Introduce Disney-branded Netbook

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

Set to be released in late July through etailers such as Amazon.com and ToysRUs.com, the $350 Disney-branded Asus Netbook (available in Pink or Blue) will offer WiFi connectivity and several Disney-specific applications and themes aimed at the 12 & under set.

For more information, check out the article on USA Today.

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Second Lawsuit Alleges Disney Illegally Dumping Toxins

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Stitch Kingdom Leave a comment

Earlier this year, we reported on a lawsuit via TMZ in which Burbank resident Dennis Jackson claimed that the air conditioning system used by Disney at its headquarters in Burbank was using contaminated water and not only was releasing toxic vapors into the air but potentially contaminated drinking water as well.

Now, environmental watchdog group Environmental World Watch Inc. has filed suit alleging that Disney has been dumping the water contaminated with toxins such as chromium 6 for more than twenty years and that the water has contaminated a parcel of land known as the Polliwog after flowing down several streets.

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