Earlier this week, Icebox-Scoops of Brooklyn, NY filed a lawsuit against Disney in federal court claiming that Disney engaged in unfair business practices, effectually negating existing rights the company had obtained to create and market a line of cosmetics under the Tinkerbell name.
Tinkerbell (as opposed to Disney’s Tinker Bell) is owned by a company called Finanz St. Honore, B.V., who obtained the rights to Tinkerbell in 1951 from Great Ormond Street Hospital (Disney’s Peter Pan was released in 1953). Throughout the years, there has been little dispute to ownership of Tink and according to Finanz, the only limitation they have in regards to use of the fairy is that Disney’s representation of her cannot be replicated.
The complaint states that upon learning of the rights obtained by Icebox-Scoops in 2005, that Disney began negotiating directly with Finanz behind Icebox-Scoop’s back in an attempt to acquire Icebox-Scoops’ rights, resulting in an early termination of Icebox-Scoop’s contract with Finanz.
Playmates Toys is voluntarily recalling approximately 252,000 units of Tinky Tink & Friends Toy Jewelry, sold nationwide between November 2008 and November 2009 due to potential unlawful amounts of lead content.
Consumers are advised to immediately take the charm and cords away from children, discard the items and contact Playmates Toys for a replacement charm accessory at (888) 810-1133 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.playmatestoys.com
No incidents relating to this potential hazard have yet been reported.
Pages of banter and speculation have arisen from the photo of the model of the new Fantasyland Fantasy Forest expansion at the Magic Kingdom ever since we first brought it to you (incidentally, you can see a close-up of the model’s Sleeping Beauty cottage in the spring 2010 issue of D23 magazine). Much of which has to do with the plans for Pixie Hollow, for which the model shows an attraction similar to a new one coming to Disney’s California Adventure, but some say said plans have since been scrapped in favor of a ‘next generation,’ interactive meet & greet with the Disney fairies.
Fuel for this speculation can also be found in this Inside Walt Disney Imagineering video released by Disney Parks back in August. You’ll find the element in question in the 2:16 -- 2:22 range in which Tink herself makes an appearance.
So what is it? Thanks to newly granted US patent #7652824, we may just have been provided the answer.
The patent, titled System and/or method for combining images, looks at ways to ‘plus’ a very aged but still convincing theatrical effect known as Pepper’s ghost, which is often used in existing Disney attractions, most notably the Haunted Mansion. However, the patented system takes Pepper’s ghost well into the 21st century making use of computers to dynamically generate the interactive images and backgrounds that can be superimposed onto the reflective surface the guest is viewing, which also undoubtedly builds on existing technology used for Stitch and Crush interactive interactions already in the parks.
Essentionally this means that the next time you see Tinker Bell, she may literally appear right before your eyes. Allowing the physical elements to be dynamically moved, Tink can appear to be flying next to you or even in front and behind you. And that’s just the tip of the virtual iceberg.
Not only will you be able to vocally interact with Tink, but sophisticated sensors and technology will allow Tink to be able to dynamically determine how many guests are in the room with you, focus on various physical aspects of yours and follow your movements. She’ll literally be able to look you (or another member in your group) in the eye. She’ll be able to appear to touch you, interact in different ways such as visually appearing to place virtual Mouse Ears on your head (if you aren’t wearing them already) and more. She can even grow or shrink dynamically to be more suitable to your own (automatically determined) height. She may also be able to dynamically interact with physical objects such as laser pointers or bluetooth enabled devices.
Of course this is just one possible implementation of the patent. It can easily be adapted to shows or attractions, so there’s no telling where this technology may dynamically appear.
On December 9 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, the Art of Disney in Epcot will host a product release and signing event with Disney Design Group artist Randy Noble.
One of a kind framed originals will be available. Both measure 18″ x 24″ unframed. Santa Hat Figment ($2100) is oil on canvas and Tink’s Christmas ($1600) is in watercolor.
Both will be also be available in a 95 piece limited edition giclyee for $350 for Figment and $400 for Tink. Open edition petite prints will also be made available.
Park admission will be required to attend the event.
GLENDALE, Calif. — Disney Consumer Products (DCP) today released its “Most Wanted Holiday Toys List,” featuring its Disney Dozen Deals – toys that bring Disney’s rich storytelling heritage home for the holidays for less than $25, plus six standouts for the most discerning gift-givers. Already garnering top honors and awards from media and organizations including FunFare, FamilyFun, iParenting and the National Association of Parenting Publications, Disney toys will delight boys and girls of all ages and bring to life the magic of its beloved characters and storylines for a cheerful holiday season.
The Most Wanted Holiday Toys list is inspired by the latest entertainment content including the upcoming theatrical release of The Princess and the Frog, Disney’s enchanting 2D animated film which introduces the newest Disney Princess character, Tiana; Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, the second installment in the popular Disney Fairies series now available on Disney Blu-ray and DVD; the Disney-Pixar Toy Story Definitive collection which replicates Andy’s favorites friends featured in the film, all the way down to the scale size and packaging; the Cars and Cars Toons die-cast line, which has sold more than 140 million cars to date gets a new twist with lenticular eyes and a neon light up feature; plus the popular Playhouse Disney preschool series on Disney Channel Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Handy Manny.
Disney’s Most Wanted Holiday Toys are now available at national retailers, Disney Store and www.DisneyStore.com.
With Tinktober coming to a close at an alarming rate, it’s worth taking a look at the Tinker Bell Mix Max Plus Media Player from Digital Blue. With 1GB of internal memory (expandable up to 4 GB via SD), it boasts a 2.8″ 320 X 240 LCD screen and plays video, audio and displays images along with Disney Mix Clips and Disney Max Clips. The best part is it’s available directly from the manufacturer at 70% off the original retail value of $99.99, so it can be yours today for just $29.99. Perfect for those not quite old enough to handle an iPhone, the Mix Max players have some pretty decent reviews on Amazon but you can only find the Tinker Bell version from the Amazon Marketplace for a current minimum of $50.
Pictured below is the back, but you can see the front (which features a Mickey-shaped control pad), get more information or get your hands on one while they last by clicking here.
Recently we told you about the United Nations applauding Tinker Bell’s commitment to the environment by making her an ‘Honorary Ambassador of Green’ in a ceremony this past Sunday.
Below is a series of photos of Tink, the cast and crew of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure who were in attendance of the event as well as a few other guests.
While the Clumsies all clamored over the arrival of Princess Tiana at Walt Disney World, a little pixie dust fairy flew in under the radar and made a home for himself at Pixie Hollow in the Disneyland Resort. Visitors will also discover that Autumn has arrived and has magically transformed the world around them with the deep greens, crimsons, oranges, golds, and browns of harvest time. (Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)
In a step to help provide environmental awareness (and perhaps a tad of promotion), the United Nations named Tinker Bell the ‘Honorary Ambassador of Green’ early Sunday.
‘We’re delighted Tinker Bell has agreed to be our Honorary Ambassador of Green,’ said Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. ‘This beloved animated character can help us inspire kids and their parents to nurture nature and do what they can to take care of the environment.’
The announcement was followed by a screening of the film attended by the filmmakers and stars Mae Whitman and Raven Symone.
There will be a UN climate change conference taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.
Note: additional photos from the event can be found here.
In her new film, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (Available everywhere October 27, 2009), Tink must journey out of Pixie Hollow for the first time on her own on a secret quest to save Pixie Hollow. Your next adventure may not require a cotton ball to travel, but here are just a few activities from Tink that can help you plan it out while keeping you well nourished. Click on any of the small images to see larger versions, but if the arrows in the lower right hand corner appear, make sure to click that too to see the full size, or feel free to right-click the large image and save!
With Tink’s help, you’ll be prepared to take your adventure anywhere! Just like this clip from Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure in which Tinker Bell begins her own journey:
And don’t forget! We’re celebrating the release of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure and Tinktober by giving away the movie and copies of the video game for the Nintendo DS! See here for more details and to enter for your chance to win!
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