Walt Disney Studios First To Release Two Billion Dollar Films in One Year

Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3. Even with inflated 3D ticket prices, it's still pretty impressive.

Of course, Alice was developed under ex-studio head Dick Cook. It always seems to work that way.

Tokyo Disneyland Resort Welcomes 500 Millionth Guest

The total number of visitors to Disney's two theme parks on the outskirts of Tokyo hit 500 million Friday, with a housewife winning a ticket for free admission to both resorts for five years.

"I'm surprised and happy," 38-year-old Megumi Soma, flanked by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, said on a podium as a crowd of visitors cheered. 

Disney Violates Fair Labor Standards Act, Workers Awarded More Than $433K in Back Pay

An agency investigation revealed that inventory control clerks in the company’s food and beverage department were not paid for work activities that occurred before and after their shifts, labor officials say.

Officials say the investigation also revealed that the clerks worked through meal times and from home without compensation.

I am shocked - SHOCKED! - that this would happen. Any Cast Member would tell you that WDW middle management is very competent and not at all terrified of their area managers.

What's the Deal With Some Disney Theme Park Fans and Universal?

Robert Niles writing for Theme Park Insider:

But what if another company comes up with something better than (or even just as good as) Disney? What does that say about those fans' financial investment in being a Disney fan? Does that mean they don't have the great taste and smarts that they thought they did?

The easy solution, then, for these folks would be to dismiss the possibility that anyone other than Disney can ever do anything as well as Disney does.

What's their problem? I will tell you: they anthropomorphize a corporation and then take it personally when someone dares to criticize that corporation. They are fanatics and they are scary.

Don't think memos haven't been circulated at Team Disney about these folks. To Disney they are breathing  dollar-signs and if Disney occasionally has to pay some lip service and keep some legacy program around to appease them, it's worth it. Oh so worth it.

leemac on Mystic Manor Budget Cuts

Post 17:

I'm not going to comment specifically as it is too close to home except for the following point - this once again demonstrates the danger of releasing specific information about a project four years before opening. The model should never have been available at D23 - never. These gyrations happen to ALL projects but they usually take place behind closed doors. The decision to release so much information about the attraction was knuckle-headed and once again demonstrates that the WDP&R still can't manage its own PR correctly.

I'd also caution about jumping to too many conclusions about where the "budget" is allegedly being cut. Ride systems are rarely cheap - even an OmniMover is pricey. It is always a trade-off and the creative and delivery teams will need to work it all out.

It really was knuckle-headed to show off all of those projects at the D23 convention.

It'll be interesting to see what Grizzly Gulch ends up looking like.

Michael Eisner in Talks To Head Tribune Co.

You have got to be kidding me.

Eisner, who stepped down from Disney in 2005, is among the possible contenders to replace current chairman Sam Zell when the Chicago-based Tribune Co. emerges from insolvency, according to the report.

Good luck with that.

UPDATE: A Los Angeles Times story that doesn't require a subscription.

Variety: Disney Withdraws From Annie Awards

(Subscription required)

At issue was the fact that anyone can buy a membership to ASIFA (not unlike Film Independent, whose paying members vote for the Spirit Awards), whereas members of the Motion Picture Academy and other awards-giving bodies must be voted in by their peers.

Some, including those in the Disney camp, have charged that the distribution is tilted in favor of DreamWorks Animation, which gives each new employee an ASIFA membership upon joining the company. While that hasn't prevented Pixar toons from winning six of the past 10 Annie feature awards, "Wall-E's" 2009 shutout caught many by surprise, with "Kung Fu Panda" taking the top prize that year.

Disney had sponsored the awards since their inception in 1972. Disney will no longer submit Walt Disney Animation Studios or Pixar Animation Studio films for consideration.

However, Disney is encouraging employees to keep their memberships and support the organization as they see fit.

Laughingplace: Budget Cuts in Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Manor

The attraction is unlikely to open in the same form as exhibited at the Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Showcase at D23 Expo last year unless another change of course happens.

Sounds like everything that made the project exciting is gone, including the trackless ride system.

Depressing, but not surprising.

I Guess Glow Fest is Gone From Hollywood Pictures Backlot After All

Scaffolding going up around the Hyperion Theater.

The "sky" facade hasn't been painted since the Park opened.

Los Angeles Times: Hold the Hijab

Los Angeles Times editorial on Imane Boudlal's equal-opportunity complaint.

Also today, both UNITE HERE Local 11 and Disney reported Ms. Boudlal has been removed from the work schedule until the matter has been resolved.

Laughingplace: Doug McGuire Moved to Head of Global Development as Nick Franklin Focuses on Next Gen

Doug McGuire previously worked in Disney Development Company. DDC's primary contribution was designing Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World and Celebration, FL before it was dissolved into Walt Disney Imagineering in 1996.

But many of the new staffers were tasked with the design of Disney California Adventure. For most, it was their first (and last) work on a Disney theme park.

Jim Hill Media: Magic Kingdom's it's a small world Rehab Just for Operations

You see, back during the 2004 / 2005 rehab of this Fantasyland favorite, the Imagineers - with the hope that they'd then be able to improve Guest-flow through / ease congestion in this historically crowded corner of the Magic Kingdom - had wanted to swap the entrance and exit of this Fantasyland attraction... But there wasn't enough time / sufficient money in the budget to deal with this issue back in 2004 / 2005. Which is why this work is being done right now on WDW's "it's a small world."

No show enhancements at all and, surprisingly, no Disney characters.

2011 D23 Expo $1000 Sorcerer Package Sold Out

Tickets to next year's D23 Expo went on sale about a week ago, but already the 50 $1000 Sorcerer Packages are sold out. The 250 $500 Premiere Packages are almost gone. The packages are only available to D23 members.

Online commentators were wondering if people were ready to shell out hundreds of dollars without even a hint of what will be at the conference. Never underestimate a die-hard Disney fan's willingness to fork over money.

Bloomberg: Accused Disney Leaker to Plead Guilty

Yonni Sebbag, accused of attempting to leak Walt Disney Co. earnings information, will plead guilty to criminal charges, his lawyer said.

Sebbag’s lawyer, Steven Kartagener, said that his client will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud before a federal magistrate today in Manhattan.

Muslim Employee Suing Disney for Discrimination Rejects Alternate Costume

I wouldn't wear that hat either. It's a crime against fashion!

Fantasyland Expansion Redux

This fits pretty well with what I've heard. Staggs and company have to be pissed that this is out there. They've been working hard to keep things under wraps.

The biggest change is replacing the Cinderella/Aurora coloring stations with the oft-rumored Seven Dwarf's Mine family coaster. Think along the lines of Mulholland Madness in a show building. Of course, this means they're closing Snow White's Scary Adventures.

The mine coaster featured prominently in early plans for the Fantasyland expansion, but was dropped late in the game for more Princess meet and greets.

And for your own sanity, it's best to ignore the rest of the discussion in the thread.  

Deadline: Disney Acquires Monster Witness Relocation Program

Word is that the film will be developed as a potential star vehicle for Karate Kid star Jaden Smith, but that hasn't solidified yet.