Disney World

One lucky Florida teenager is getting an around-the-world tour of all eleven Disney theme parks.Eighteen-year-old Joshua Peterson of Eustis is collecting a prize he earned a year ago while visiting Epcot.Peterson was exiting a ride when workers informed him he’d won Disney’s “grand marshal world tour” prize as part of the company’s Year of a Million Dreams promotion.The whirlwind tour begins with the Magic Kingdom parade on Wednesday. He and his family will then visit the three other Disney parks in Central Florida.
Then it’s off to Anaheim, California, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris.

Walt Disney Studios is looking for extras to appear in what it calls “a major motion picture based on a hit television series starring a well known pop teen sensation.”Hmm. … Could that be Disney’s upcoming “Hannah Montana” movie that’s set to be filmed in Middle Tennessee and Los Angeles?A receptionist for Dave Wong, the studio’s vice president of publicity, said Friday that they’re not ready to confirm that. But strangely enough, the on-hold music at Wong’s office was “Ready, Set, Don’t Go,” a country duet by “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus’ and her father, Billy Ray Cyrus.The open casting call for extras is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at the Sommet Center in Nashville.The studio says it’s looking for background actors of all ages for non-speaking parts. No experience is necessary.Everyone must bring a recent nonreturnable snapshot and a pen. Filming begins in and around Nashville on May 6.

Former Disney exec Rashmi Turner, exec producer of the Baby Einstein DVD series, has launched Global Wonders, a new children’s multicultural education and entertainment brand. Based in Pasadena, Calif., the venture is dedicated to introducing children to different customs, music, languages and lifestyles. A line of animated DVDs, music CD, online games and other products will begin to roll out at retail this fall.Each DVD program, created for children 2-7 years, will include new music, animated characters, personally relevant cultural themes and authentic sights and sounds from around the world. Written and performed by experts and specialists in children’s education and entertainment the installments will include “language jams,” participatory musical segments introducing new vocabulary, and “WonderVision,” an interactive play-mode.“By highlighting the beauty in cultural similarities and differences across common, everyday experiences, Global Wonders helps initiate positive dialogue about one’s own heritage and a curiosity and understanding of other cultures and backgrounds,” says Turner, who served as VP of Disney Interactive Studios Learning and led marketing, communications and educational productions for The Baby Einstein Co.The Global Wonders creative team includes two-time Emmy-winning writer Sindy McKay (Jakers!: The Adventures of Pigglywinks); character designer and art director Ed Wexler, a 20-year veteran of Disney animation (Little Einsteins, My Friends Tigger and Pooh); and Emmy-winning music composer Jim Latham (JoJo’s Circus, Dragon Tales, Disney Princess: A Christmas of Enchantment).Among the other contributors is developmental expert and educational advisor J. Kevin Nugent, Ph.D., founder and director of the Brazelton Institute at Children’s Hospital in Boston and faculty member of Harvard Medical School in the Department of Pediatrics. His expert opinions and analysis of each Global Wonders story treatment have been incorporated into the final scripts and related educational products.Also joining Global Wonders from The Walt Disney Co. are Dave Burchianti as VP of marketing and brand development, and Danielle Melcher as VP of production. Burchianti has grown multi-million dollar consumer and entertainment brands for Nestlé and Disney, and Melcher was a producer for The Baby Einstein Company’s award-winning titles.

Writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio are going from “shiver me timbers!” to “Hi-ho Silver!”The writing duo, best known for their work on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, are in final negotiations to write a live-action big-screen adaptation of “The Lone Ranger” for Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.The project will be made by Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films in association with Entertainment Rights.”Ranger,” owned by Classic Media, began life as a 1930s radio show. Its popularity led to movie serials, TV shows, comic strips and comic books, toys, novels and more.The hero’s origin story begins with a group of Texas Rangers chasing down a gang of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish. The gang ambushes the Rangers, seemingly killing them all. One survivor is found, however, by an American Indian named Tonto, who nurses him back to health. The Ranger, donning a mask and riding a white stallion named Silver, teams up with Tonto to bring the unscrupulous gang and others of that ilk to justice.Despite the long-standing presence in pop culture, however, “Ranger” has not enjoyed success in modern times. The character’s most recent shot at the big screen, 1981’s “The Legend of the Lone Ranger,” failed so badly that the film’s star, Klinton Spilsbury, never worked in Hollywood again. In 2003, WB Network aired a TV movie that served as a backdoor pilot, but it also bit the dust.
Part of the problems are the character’s tropes — wearing a mask, using only silver bullets, a creed that includes not killing your fellow man, the exclamation “Hi-yo Silver, away!” — which can seem musty to today’s audiences. Rossio and Elliott, however, do have experience bringing back genres that seemed passe. The CAA-repped duo wrote “The Mask of Zorro,” the hit adventure movie featuring one of the Ranger’s contemporaries, as well as Disney’s “Pirates” franchise, which breathed new life into the old skull and crossbones.Bruckheimer is producing “Ranger,” and Bruckheimer Films’ Mike Stenson and Chad Oman are executive producing. Jason Reed is overseeing at Disney.

Adventures by Disney today announced its spring booking deal, which offers families a savings of up to $650 per adult and $600 per child when they book select adventures now through May 31, 2008.Whether it’s savoring the flavors of Italy or Spain, zip-lining above the Costa Rican rain forest, enjoying the Vienna Zoo after closing hours, or coming home to cities that celebrate American history, families can experience awe-inspiring travels throughout the world when they book an Adventures by Disney trip.
“This is a great savings opportunity for families who have been considering a unique vacation experience overseas or across the country this year,” said Ed Baklor, senior vice president, Adventures by Disney. “From walks through Prague’s historic royal quarters or a backstage look at Disney’s dream makers, our trips are planned from start to finish so families can concentrate on having fun, while making memories that will last a lifetime.”For more information regarding the spring booking offer and to take advantage of the savings, vacation planners can call (877) 728-7282 or contact their local travel agent before May 31, 2008.
Destinations included in the offer: Grande Espana (Madrid, Seville, Barcelona — 9 Days/8 nights)Journey from the lively capital to the exotic countryside and embark on cultural traditions while engaging in unique experiences that reflect the true spirit of Spain.Taste of Tuscany (Rome, Tuscany — 7 Days/6 Nights) Enjoy privately guided visits of Rome’s most famous icons and experience the flavor and beauty of the Tuscan countryside complete with a Tuscan villa, a family cooking lesson with an authentic Italian chef and wine tasting.Path to Pura Vida (Costa Rica; San Jose, Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Quepos — 7 Days/6 Nights)Experience the lush beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest and enjoy the wonders of nature and wildlife by walking, rafting and zip-lining across this amazing land. Relax and enjoy some quality time at one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches.Spirit of America (Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Washington D.C. — 8 Days/7 Nights)
Come home to the cities that celebrate American heritage and explore some of the United States’ most iconic and educational landmarks as historical characters come to life and tell the story of the nation.Imperial Cities (Vienna, Prague, Salzburg — 8 Days/7 Nights)Live like royalty during a grand tour of Eastern Europe’s rich baroque cities in Austria and the Czech Republic. Privately guided tours, exclusive dinners, and fun experiences for the kids are just a taste of the royal luxuries that families will experience during their visit to the Imperial Cities.Backstage Magic (Hollywood, Disneyland Resort — 6 Days/5 Nights)The glamorous world of old Hollywood contrasts with the newest filmmaking technologies in this movie and Disney fan’s dream tour of Southern California. Receive private access to some of the most famous Tinseltown destinations and custom VIP tours that offer a peak into the magic of Disneyland Resort.
About Adventures by DisneyAs Disney Cruise Line revolutionized — and in some ways defined — the family cruise vacation, Adventures by Disney is poised to re-create the way families think about vacationing together.Launched in 2005, Adventures by Disney provides immersive, hassle-free and exhilarating guided family vacation experiences to 17 destinations in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Families traveling with Adventures by Disney receive exceptional service while taking part in extraordinary experiences from Prague to Paris, Yellowstone to Costa Rica, the ruins of Pompeii to the ruins of Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Wall of China, and more.With Disney Adventure Guides, engaging activities, VIP experiences and personal touches throughout, Adventures by Disney excites and delights family members of all ages.
Guests wanting more information about Adventures by Disney can visit http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/, call 877/728-7282, or contact their travel agent.

The operator of the Disney Store chain on Thursday said that the return of over 200 stores to Walt Disney Co. could be completed by May if its restructuring plan is accepted by a bankruptcy judge.The remaining 100-plus Disney Stores in North America would be closed, said Chuck Crovitz, interim chief executive officer of The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc.His comments came Thursday in a teleconference with analysts less than a day after the Children’s Place subsidiary that operates the Disney Stores filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.The subsidiary, Hoop Holdings LLC, runs 322 Disney Stores. Secaucus-based Children’s Place announced March 20 that it was negotiating to have Disney regain control of two-thirds of those stores. That announcement did not mention that bankruptcy would be used.Neither Children’s Place nor its other subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy, the company said.Disney, of Burbank, Calif., said the bankruptcy filing was expected and that talks are continuing.”We are very close to where we need to be, but we are not at 100 percent,” Crovitz said Thursday. “There are some issues, but we don’t see them as being insurmountable.”He said the transfer can be completed following the court proceedings, which he hoped would conclude by April 30.”There certainly are precedents for the action contemplated here,” he said.The cost of the Disney Store transfer and shutdown is still estimated at $50 million to $100 million, Crovitz said.He reiterated that Children’s Place was leaving the Disney Store business because needed investments were not expected to deliver economic returns. It took control of the stores in 2004. In announcing its exit plan March 20, Children’s Place said the Disney Stores recorded an operating loss of $92.1 million for the quarter that ended Feb. 2, and $107.3 million for the year. Overall, for the three months ending Feb. 2, Children’s Place reported a loss of $58.5 million, or $2.01 a share, from a profit of $44.7 million, or $1.48, in the prior-year quarter.No hearings were immediately scheduled by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Linehan Shannon. Crovitz said the bankruptcy petition was filed at 8 p.m. Wednesday.A similar filing is expected in Toronto by Children’s Place’s Canadian subsidiary, the company said.The Delaware petition puts Hoop’s assets at less than $50,000, and puts liabilities in the same range.Three of the largest unsecured creditors are Disney entities, but the amounts are stated as “unknown.”Shares in Children’s Place fell more than 2 percent, or 55 cents, to $24.95, while Disney shares fell 37 cents to $31.39 in morning trading Thursday.

A Sacramento elementary school was the ‘Happiest Place On Earth’ this morning when a group of students found out they won a trip to Disneyland!
The entire student body of Phoebe Hearst Elementary school was at what they thougth was a safety assembly when Mickey Mouse came on stage to help make the surprise announcement.Miss Rodriguez’s fifth grade class won the Grand Prize in a contest sponsored by Disney. Their class project beat out 45 other schools in Disney’s “Environmentality Challenge”.Their project goal was to protect and preserve the American River.
On their weekends, the kids planted native plants along the river, produced a documentary and started a campus garden.On May first, the entire class will be treated to an overnight stay at Disneyland complete with a ceremony and their own parade down Main Street.

Following the popularity of inter school dance competition ‘High School Musical’, Disney Channel is launching Nach to the Groove, an initiative to engage the tween audiences in dance and song.Disney Channel has roped in the young dance whiz-kid, Kabir Arora to teach the audience how to groove on various Bollywood hits. At the start of each segment choreographer, Shiamak Davar will providee finer nuances of the art.Kabir along with eight other kids will then demonstrate dance moves.Walt Disney Television International (India) SVP and MD Antoine Villeneuve said, “Disney Channel reflects the lives of the tweens and their aspirations. Nach to the Groove is based on Disney Channel’s creative idioms - follow your dreams, believe in yourself and express yourself. Nach to the Groove will inspire Disney Channel audiences to discover their passion for dance and help them to learn a few moves from the experts.”To be aired on Disney Channel this summer, Nach to the Groove is a natural extension of the channel’s programming philosophy of being a part of real kids’ lives and inspiring them to realise their dreams. Disney Channel’s TV movies such as Jump in, Cheetah Girls, High School Musical and popular series like Hannah Montana, use dance and music to connect with the tween audiences worldwide.

Andrew Bartlett is a property consultant in Sarasota who makes his money helping British buyers when their Florida deals turn sour. As house prices continue to plummet around the state, he says he has never been busier.”The biggest problem is that people don’t take good, independent advice before they buy into what they think will be their dream home,” he said. “It’s sad that people often give more thought to buying a television than the consequences of a $300,000 property in another country.”Anyone who bought in central Florida since 2005 probably paid too much and if they are relying on rental income they have a major problem competing with everyone else who is in the same position.”Bartlett, who has been advising Britons for almost a decade, says there are still bargains to be had in the right areas, but that parts of Orlando had been “a disaster”. “Many areas are in freefall, particularly those where Britons have been sold over-priced properties without any feedback on the laws of supply and demand.”They were told ‘buy near Disney, the tourists are coming’; they’ve fallen hook, line and sinker and lost a lot of money. It’s tragic that there are still property exhibitions, television adverts and magazines in the UK peddling this dream.”The exchange rate is on our side and opportunities are there if you look for them, but it’s imperative to get good, independent advice from someone who’s not motivated to sell linked to one particular development or area.”

Billionaire investor Ronald W. Burkle’s lawsuit alleging that former Walt Disney Co. president Michael Ovitz broke a business agreement was dismissed Thursday by a judge who found that the men never had a formal partnership. Superior Court Judge Soussan Bruguera granted Ovitz’s motion to dismiss Burkle’s suit after finding that the men had more of a friendship than a business relationship, and that terms of their oral agreement were too vague to enforce.”Clearly this friendship soured,” Bruguera said.Burkle’s attorney, Russell F. Sauer, said he will appeal.Burkle, the founder of private equity firm Yucaipa Cos., sued Ovitz in February 2005, claiming the two made a verbal agreement in the 1990s to combine “their skill, money and knowledge” on investments.Each would be allowed to acquire 50 percent of any Internet-related or online technology projects that Ovitz or Burkle considered, the suit contends. Each also would have a chance to acquire 10 percent of any other business ventures being contemplated.According to the lawsuit, Ovitz and his company, CKE, never put “even one cent” into two Internet companies in which Burkle invested in 1998 and 1999.Ovitz, co-founder of the powerful Creative Artists Agency, once was considered among the most powerful men in Hollywood. He left CAA in 1995 to become president of Disney, but was fired after 14 months.Ovitz later began Artists Management Group, brokeringfilm and television deals with its own roster of stars.Burkle’s lawsuit claims Ovitz never gave the billionaire a chance to invest in Artists Management Group. The suit further claims that Ovitz had deprived him of an opportunity to invest in Google.Bruguera found that Burkle made his claims past the California statute of limitations for prosecution.”Her ruling just confirmed what we’ve known for several years, the claims are groundless and always were,” Ovitz’s attorney James Ellis said.Ellis said trial in Ovitz’s counterlawsuit against Burkle will begin April 28.In his suit, Ovitz denied he had a verbal agreement with Burkle. But it states that if a jury finds that there was such a pact, then it could also conclude that Ovitz was excluded from “numerous deals or opportunities” which Burkle was heading or was taking part in. The lawsuit seeks millions of dollars in damages, much of it in attorney’s fees.