NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Thousands of future rock stars uploaded videos to Disney.com for the chance to win the ultimate rocker experience but only one rocker in each category will win. Finalists for U Rock 2 have been selected and are currently up for voting on Disney.com (www.Disney.com/URock) allowing fans to decide the winning rock stars. Launched in June, U Rock 2 gave music lovers the opportunity to create their own videos set to songs from popular Disney artists and post their original videos on the U Rock site.
Bay Lake Tower to Open August 4, Bringing Disney Vacation Club Conveniences to Contemporary Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Nearly 38 years after Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened its doors, its modern Disney Vacation Club addition, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is scheduled to welcome guests on Aug. 4. This will be the seventh Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort.
All 15 stories of the ultra-sleek design continue the original building’s iconic style, which opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park Oct. 1, 1971. Bay Lake Tower complements and pays homage to Disney’s Contemporary Resort while also offering a variety of new amenities and conveniences – kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, and other homelike amenities. In addition, most of the 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas in the crescent-shaped tower offer spectacular views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom.
Bay Lake Tower, like all DVC resorts, blends Disney magic with elegant design and premier accommodations. DVC members – and, based on availability, overnight Walt Disney World guests staying at Bay Lake Tower – can choose from a number of recreation activities and facilities, including a children’s interactive water play area, Bay Cove Pool, a barbeque pavilion, a Community Hall and two nearby tennis courts.
Must Have: The Mickey Mouse Treasures Now Available at Barnes & Noble for $15
The Mickey Mouse Treasures by Robert Tieman, manager of the Walt Disney Archives, is the third in a series of collectibles. This third volume focuses on Mickey Mouse himself, from his (and Walt’s) humble beginnings (and even a bit before that) to his worldwide popularity today. From films to merchandising, this book literally has it all — and that’s an understatement.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Walt Disney Family Museum Opening October 1; Timed Tickets on Sale August 1
The Walt Disney Family Museum at The Presidio in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA, July 16, 2009—The fascinating and inspiring story of Walt Disney, whose artistry, creations, and vision helped define 20th-century American culture, will be brought to life at The Walt Disney Family Museum, which opens in San Francisco in October 2009. The Museum will illuminate Walt Disney’s tremendous successes, disappointments, and unyielding optimism as he pursued innovation and excellence while entertaining and enchanting generations worldwide through his pioneering ventures.
The creator of Mickey Mouse, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disneyland, and the global yet distinctly American company that bears his name, Disney was an independent risk-taker who started his first business at the age of 19 and worked tirelessly to elevate animation to an art form. He invented timeless characters and stories that brought the fantastical to life and continue to inspire a sense of wonder. Through animated and live action films, television programs, and theme parks, Disney created global symbols, icons, and characters that, more than 40 years after his death, are an indelible part of popular culture in America and around the world.
The Motivator (and High Ratings) Kick ‘Wipeout’ Into Third Season on ABC
“Wipeout,” ABC’s outrageously popular reality series, has been picked up for a third season. Twenty-four thrill-seekers will compete in the world’s largest extreme obstacle course designed to provide the most spills, face plants and wipeouts ever seen on television.
Disney Japan to Bundle DVDs with Mobile-Compatible Flicks on MicroSD
TOKYO (Reuters Life!) – Walt Disney Co’s Japan unit said it would sell movies on flash memory cards as small as a fingernail so that people can watch them on mobile phones and other portable devices.
The movie studio plans to package pre-recorded microSD cards together with DVDs holding the same movie content, allowing customers to watch at home as well as on the go. These cards will be available in November.
Users can watch movies stored on microSD cards on mobile phones capable of showing terrestrial digital broadcasting, and other portable gear such as car navigation systems.
Following the El Capitan Theatre on Twitter Can Get You Free Food, Exclusive Opportunities and More
Inside the El Capitan © Brad K. All Rights Reserved.
Smack-dab in the heart of Hollywood, California, the El Capitan Theatre brings a spot of Disney to one of the world’s most famous neighborhoods. Across from the Kodak Theatre (home to the Academy Awards) and the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the theatre is a result of a $14 million dollar renovation in which Disney literally re-built the theatre to faithfully restore to its original grandeur.
Report: ESPN.com Zones in on Dallas, New York and Los Angeles
Variety is reporting that ESPN.com’s test of offering Chicago its own localized version of information from the sports news giant has been so successful, that it’s moving on to other markets. Dallas is expected to launch in October while New York City and Los Angeles will follow in 1Q ’10. In addition to extended coverage of local sports including at the high school level, each site will have its own short form of SportsCenter.
‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Soundtrack Features Selena Gomez, Honor Society, KSM, Mitchel Musso and More!
BURBANK, Calif. — There’s magic in the air as Walt Disney Records is set to release the new CD, Wizards of Waverly Place. Inspired by the Emmy-nominated hit Disney Channel series starring Selena Gomez, as well as the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie of the same name, the Wizards of Waverly Place album features brand new songs and interpretations of classic tracks from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, each one about magic. The CD arrives in stores August 4, while “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie” premieres on Disney Channel August 28.
With the show recently ranked as the No. 1 TV series for kids, anticipation for the “Wizards of Waverly Place” film and soundtrack is running high. The CD includes several new songs performed by series star Selena Gomez, including “Disappear,” the rock ballad “Magical,” the show’s theme song “Everything is Not as it Seems” and a new version of Pilot’s 1975 Top 10 Hit “Magic.” The CD features exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with Selena, plus her all-new music video.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Testing New Centralized FASTPASS Distribution
It’s being reported that from opening until 3 pm for the rest of the week, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is attempting a new FASTPASS distribution system where guests can obtain a FASTPASS for any attraction from one location in particular, the machines at It’s Tough to Be A Bug.
Guests who are unaware of the testing will not be affected as other FASTPASS machines will be operating at this time as normal.
