Disney Takes Center Stage at Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
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Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by BMO Harris Bank, the country’s largest evening holiday celebration, will ring in the 2011 holiday season for the nation on Saturday, November 19 with a “bigger, better and brighter” schedule of events. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the beloved holiday tradition.
Free Allstar Weekend Performance Highlights Chicago’s ‘Magnificent Mile Lights’ Festival; Phineas and Ferb Also to Appear
Radio Disney AM 1300 kicks off the holiday season in Chicago with a day of fun for kids and families on Saturday, November 20, at the 19th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris. The day of special events will bring fans face to face with some of their favorite stars, including Allstar Weekend and the “Phineas and Ferb” walk-around characters.
Epcot’s 2010 ‘Sounds Like Summer’ Concert Line-up Announced
The Walt Disney World resort has provided us with the (almost) full line-up of the annual Sounds Like Summer concert series at Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre. Admission to the concert series which features established cover bands is free with paid admission to the park. This year’s series runs from June 12 through July 31 and includes the following acts:
- June 12 – June 19: Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
- June 20 – June 26: Hotel California (Eagles)
- June 27 – July 3: Karin Lawson (Janet Jackson)
- July 4 – July 10: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
‘The Princess And The Frog’ Merchandise Sales Exceed Projections; New Disney Store Promotion
GLENDALE, CA — November 17, 2009 — Weeks before the theatrical release of Disney’s upcoming animated feature The Princess and the Frog, the excitement for film-inspired merchandise is already building in a big way as anticipation for the film intensifies. Since its launch just a few weeks ago, the merchandise has already begun out-selling other Disney Princess items by double digit percentages. At Disney Store locations nationwide and DisneyStore.com, the Princess Tiana Halloween costume and role-play dress were best sellers. At major retailers, top sellers include The Princess and the Frog-inspired dolls, play sets and books. The Princess and the Frog toys have also captured industry praise as the Princess Tiana doll tops FunFare magazine’s “Holiday Hot Dozen” list and the Toys”R”Us “Fabulous 15″ Holiday list.
The Princess and the Frog introduces Disney’s newest princess character in more than ten years and the first African-American Disney princess. The product line from Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is supporting the film with a wide range of products spanning toys, fashion, home décor, food, personal care, beauty, stationery, books and an assortment for adults including collectibles, art, bridal wear and couture fashion.
“It is typical with any major Disney film to see movie-inspired product available as early as six weeks prior to the film’s release, and the same is true for The Princess and the Frog,” stated Mary Beech, vice president franchise development and marketing for Disney Consumer Products. “However, the historic release of The Princess and the Frog film has generated tremendous consumer excitement well in advance of the film – and sales thus far have exceeded projections, something that is remarkable for characters that fans are not yet completely familiar with.”
Mickey Mouse Sports New Outfit at Chicago Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Event
At an appearance at the State Street Macy’s store in Chicago this weekend, Mickey Mouse greeted fans in a brand new outfit inspired by the ‘Sailor Mickey’ helium balloon which will make its debut during the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Minnie Mouse was also in attendance, wearing the white sailor’s outfit you’ll find her in aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships.
Thanks to Disney Dad Bret Caldwell for the photo.
ESPN Zone to Commence Search for 2010 ‘Ultimate Couch Potato’ in New York, Chicago and Baltimore
BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 11 — Every die-hard sports fan has at one time or another gone on a sports-watching marathon, logging hours of non-stop sports viewing all for the sake of fandom. ESPN Zone wants to reward those that do it best with its ninth-annual “Ultimate Couch Potato” competition, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.
ESPN Zone’s New York, Chicago, and Baltimore locations are seeking four Couch Potato hopefuls at each site to go head-to-head to see who can watch the most continuous hours of televised sports. The Guinness Book of World Records mark for most continuous hours of televised sports watching is 69 hours, 48 minutes, set by Suresh Joachim in 2005.
2009 UCP Champ Jessica Mosley sat for an unofficial Guinness record of 70 hours, 45 minutes in 2009.
To enter ESPN Zone’s Ultimate Couch Potato competition, hopefuls must send an e-mail to [email protected], and in 200 words or less, describe why they have what it takes to become ESPN Zone’s Ultimate Couch Potato. Entries will be judged on passion for sports, competitive spirit and overall creativity. Each entry must include the phone number and mailing address of the sender and be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 9, 2009. Eight finalists will be chosen at each site, who will then take part in an on-camera interview to see just how deeply their fandom runs, before four finalists are chosen to compete for the title of Ultimate Couch Potato.
“People see ESPN Zone as the ultimate sports bar and ESPN as the gold standard in sports broadcasting, which makes us perfect for hosting a search for the ultimate sports-loving couch potato,” said Christine Baum, national director of marketing, sales and communications for ESPN Zone. “Everyone knows someone out there that fits the description of Couch Potato; we want to sift through the spuds to find the Ultimate Couch Potato.”
Mickey Mouse to Act as Grand Marshal of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®
Mickey Mouse will serve as Grand Marshal for the 18th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® taking place November 21 along Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue. Mickey will be joined by some of his friends as Disney Parks presents its own float in the procession. Also attending and performing during the event will be Disney recording artist and Disney Channel star Mitchel Musso.
Mickey will also be in town to celebrate being this year’s official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade mascot by appearing later this week as we reported here.
For more information on the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, visit the festival’s official website.
Exclusive ‘Sailor Mickey’ Holiday Plush Available at Macy’s; Mickey to Make Chicago Macy’s Appearance
Earlier this week, we told you about the new Sailor Mickey helium balloon that will make its debut during the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Today we bring you news of the Sailor Mickey plush by Gund exclusively from Macy’s to commemorate the event. The 18″ collectible plush speaks three phrases: ‘Gosh, you’re great,’ ‘Ahoy there mateys’ and ‘Merry Christmas!’ and includes a bonus alarm clock which doubles as his own personal compass. He retails for $14.95 and can be found in the Holiday department at Macy’s all over or can be purchased online (where you can also check local store inventory).
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.
Learning Tree Partners with the Disney Institute to Offer Classes in Key Business Markets
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 24 — Disney Institute professional development programs will soon be offered at Learning Tree Education Centers in select cities throughout the U.S. The programs are part of a new relationship between Disney Institute — the professional development arm of The Walt Disney Company — and Learning Tree, the world’s leading vendor-independent management, business skills and IT training company.
Beginning August 2009, the relationship will bring a broad range of Disney Institute content to Learning Tree Education Centers in Atlanta; Reston, Va.; Rockville, Md.; Alexandria, Va.; Chicago; and New York City. A variety of course topics and formats will be offered, enabling individuals and intact work teams to select content that is ideally suited to meet their organizations’ needs.
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