A 5’3″ LEGO model of Buzz Lightyear, constructed from 40,000 LEGO bricks in 250 hours by 3 Master Builders, was unveiled by Disney Consumer Products at the Licensing International Expo to showcase the excitement “building” around the classic Toy Story franchise. Disney will support the franchise with the re-release of the first two movies in 3D for a two week engagement this October, a third new movie in summer 2010 and a spectacular consumer products line.
Beloved Disney Characters Get Ready for New Roles at Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children
ORLANDO, Fla., June 3, 2009 – Walt Disney Imagineers are putting the finishing touches on a collection of beloved Disney characters that will lend their magic to the three-story lobby of the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children.
Known for the support and protection they provided their dearest friends, characters including Timon and Pumba from “The Lion King,” Baloo from “The Jungle Book” and Sebastian and Flounder from “The Little Mermaid will have leading roles in the hospital’s interactive lobby.
Miley Cyrus and Walmart Announce New Clothing Line, North American Tour – Presales Begin June 8
BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 3 — Walmart today announced the introduction of Miley Cyrus & Max Azria, a new clothing line available only at Walmart. Walmart brings together best-selling artist and entertainer Miley Cyrus and Max Azria of apparel house BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, Inc. to offer customers affordable and trend-right apparel. The line will arrive in all Walmart stores and on Walmart.com in early August, and includes tops, pants, graphic tees, shoes and accessories, all priced less than $20.
“Our launch of the Miley Cyrus & Max Azria line continues our strategy of engaging customers across categories,” said John Fleming, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S. “This time, we’re bringing together a leading entertainer and a top apparel house to bring exciting product and price leadership to our customers.”
Miley Cyrus’ rock-and-roll roots influenced many of the looks. The line reflects a continuation of her relationship with Walmart, where she is among the retailer’s top-selling recording artists. “I love creating looks that are all about personal expression and individuality,” said Cyrus. “Collaborating with Max Azria has been an amazing experience, and I’m really excited about launching this line with Walmart. There’s even more to come!”
Disney Cruise Line Announces Even More Disney Channel Stars at Sea This Summer, Plus Earn On-Board Credit!
CELEBRATION, Fla., June 2 — The most inclusive, family-friendly cruise gets even better with two more great reasons to sail with Disney Cruise Line this summer – a value-added offer and new talent for eight special “Disney Channel Summer at Sea” sailings.
Families looking for a fun-filled getaway can set sail this summer on the most magical ships at sea and receive $100 per day onboard spending credit with a verandah stateroom booking. This special offer is available on most Disney Cruise Line itineraries, including three-, four- and seven-night sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
‘U Rock 2’ on Disney.com Invites Fans to Channel Their Inner Music Video Rock Star (Contest)
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Disney.com announced today the launch of U Rock 2, a unique promotion that gives fans the opportunity to create their own music videos set to songs from popular Disney artists and post their original videos on the U Rock site (www.Disney.com/URock). The most popular U Rock video finalists, voted on by fans, will win the ultimate rock star experience including a trip to Los Angeles, an in-studio “take over” at Radio Disney, a visit to the set of a Disney Channel show, and more.
This is the second annual U Rock event on Disney.com. In 2008 thousands of fan videos were uploaded and millions of fans rated and commented on their favorite videos. New this year, fans will be able to watch and vote for their favorite videos via mobile phone by texting UROCK to DISNEY (347639).*
Disney Interactive Studios Announces Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS™
BURBANK, Calif. — Disney Interactive Studios today announced Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS™. The game will launch in North America the same day as the all-new Blu-ray and DVD release from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and connects with the Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow (www.PixieHollow.com) virtual world from Disney Online in new ways. Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure follows last year’s successful debut of the Disney Fairies franchise on Nintendo DS.
“Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure allows fans to once again play as one of the most enduring characters in Disney history, in the beautiful world of Pixie Hollow,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Fans can play through memorable scenes from the film, let their imaginations run wild when creating and customizing their very own Fairies and experience new levels of integration with the Pixie Hollow virtual world.”
Pixar Characters Surprise Moviegoers on Opening Day of Disney/Pixar’s UP
Moviegoers waiting to see the newest release from Disney/Pixar, UP, at the Kerasotes Show Case Theaters in Chicago, IL got a big surprise when some of Pixar’s classic characters came out to celebrate and watch the movie too. Sulley (Monsters, Inc.), Mr. Incredible (The Incredibles) and Buzz Lightyear and Woody (Toy Story) worked and schmoozed the already excited crowd.
For more information on Disney’s Opening Surprise program, check out our story on the program here and the official site here.
Below is a gallery of more photos from the event. Photos from WireImage. © Disney/Pixar. Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
Humana Launches New Game to Get Kids Active, Contest to Win Trip to G-Force Premiere
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), a leading health-benefits company, announced today a unique collaboration with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures that will impact children’s health in a fun and innovative way. “Operation Planet Savers” is a game developed and sponsored by Humana’s Innovation Center “Games for Health” team that combines real-world and online game play. The game offers kids a cool way to participate in physical, mental and social challenges this summer while getting excited about Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ G-Force, arriving in theaters July 24.
G-Force is about a team of secret agent guinea pigs on a mission to save the planet. Players of Operation Planet Savers, OPS for short, complete weekly training missions that require real-world activity and train the young game-players to become G-Force agents. Players can earn virtual prizes, like new G-Force holograms – unique to Humana and Disney – and sneak peeks at G-Force movie clips. OPS players also compete each week for prizes like an iPod nano and the grand prize – walking the red carpet at the G-Force movie premiere in Los Angeles.
Disney Consumer Products Unleashes All New Intiatives, from Mickey Mouse to Rapunzel and Everyone Inbetween
Las Vegas, NV – June 2, 2009 – Disney Consumer Products(DCP) today announced new content and product line extensions behind its renowned portfolio of character franchises starting with the return of the classic Toy Story franchise, the addition of two Disney Princess characters, new Mickey Mouse initiatives, a new Winnie the Pooh theatrical movie and the expansion of the Disney Fairies film series. Disney Channel also announced major milestones for the global sensational hit Hannah Montana as the series is renewed for a fourth season and the award-winning Handy Manny preschool series adds two primetime specials and a new 20 episode short-form series.
“Everything we do is inspired by the magic and creativity that only Disney can deliver,” said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products Consumer Products. “Each product tells a story and this year sets off an unprecedented slate of entertainment offering many storylines that will translate into global merchandise programs uniquely positioning DCP for breakout growth.”
Lucasfilm’s Steve Sansweet to Offer Book Signing at Star Wars Weekends June 5-7
Lucasfilm’s Head of Fan Relations and owner of the world’s largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia, Steve Sansweet, will be appearing this weekend at Star Wars Weekends. Steve will be signing copies of his books, The Star Wars Vault and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, both of which will be available for purchase for the signing. He’ll also be bringing along some special give-aways.
He’ll be signing at Wicket’s Warehouse on Friday, June 5 from 12:30 – 2:30 PM, on Saturday from 1:30 – 3:30 PM and on Sunday from 12:30 – 2:30 PM.
