It’s a Carousel of Color!!!
World of Color continues to amaze me. Here are two videos shot, from the Paradise Pier Hotel, showing incredible shots of the whole platform while show testing is in progress. The color in these videos are overwhelming.
Volunteering, You “CAN” Do It!
Canned Goods Set a Guinness World Record, Ship to Food Banks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2010) –Against the backdrop of a world-record sculpture of canned goods destined for food banks, Disney Parks officials on Thursday announced a major milestone with the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, a first-of-its-kind effort to help inspire 1 million people to perform volunteer service.
Since the program’s launch only six weeks ago, more than 600,000 people in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada have volunteered or signed up for volunteer projects in their communities, announced Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
“With the launch of our ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program, we hoped to spark something truly special,” Staggs said. “But even we have been overwhelmed with the response.”
To recognize their good deeds, in 2010 Disney Parks is celebrating those who volunteer through the program by giving them a free one-day admission to either a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park. Volunteers can start the search and sign-up process by going to www.disneyparks.com.
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute and the largest volunteer network in the nation, is supporting the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program by connecting volunteers with projects.
According to Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Light Institute, 10,000 community organizations, through the Disney Parks program, are getting the volunteers they need to meet important community challenges.
“The level of volunteerism we have seen in the first weeks of 2010 is tracking to new highs,” she said. “Our dream at HandsOn Network is for everyone to recognize their power to make a difference. Disney is helping us make that dream a reality, a million times over.”
Since the launch of the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program on Jan. 1, 2010, volunteers have trekked through wetlands near Long Beach, Calif., and through mountain preserves in Phoenix, Ariz., clearing away non-native vegetation. A continent away, volunteers have whisked away trash on Atlantic Coast beaches in Brevard County and Dade County, Fla. In Port Huron, Mich., “soccer families” have picked up paint brushes to help spruce up a community center. In Atlanta, Ga., volunteers have assisted hospitalized children as they create arts and crafts projects. And with the forecast for a cold night ahead, the homeless in Central Florida were handed blankets by caring volunteers.
In addition to celebrating the “Give A Day, Get a Disney Day” program, Disney Parks welcomed to Walt Disney World Resort Thursday other outstanding volunteer families from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who gave back to their communities in special ways, as part of Disney’s celebration of family volunteerism in 2010.
“Today we are here to celebrate you,” Staggs told the families. “With each of your efforts, you make a difference.”
Canned-Food Structure Unveiled, Verified Largest-Ever by Guinness World Records®
As part of the event celebrating family volunteers and to dramatize the spirit of giving, Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday unveiled a mammoth structure of canned goods – food that will be donated to food banks in Orlando, Miami and Atlanta.
The canned food sculpture – titled “Celebrate Volunteers” – was revealed for media and guests at Epcot. Disney VoluntEARS shaped the sculpture with a larger-than-life Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto – all sculpted out of cans. Goofy’s trademark hat consisted of cans of bread crumbs, for instance. Mickey’s famous head was shaped from cans of black olives, and cans of sliced pineapple made up Pluto’s eyes.
The cans represent approximately 70,000 meals, according to Dave Krepcho, president/CEO of Second Harvest of Central Florida. “Each can makes a difference in someone’s life who cannot afford this food,” he said. “Much of this food goes to children in need, working moms trying to provide, senior citizens coping on fixed incomes and people whose disabilities keep them from working.”
The spectacular, character-themed structure – consisting officially of 115,527 cans – was also a world record, according to Guinness World Records, the internationally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. Guinness World Records Thursday authenticated the achievement as the Largest Canned Food Structure ever created, easily eclipsing the previous record of 54,527 cans set in June 2009 in New Zealand.
Some volunteer families also shared star billing Thursday with stars of the Disney Channel and Disney XD. As part of Disney’s youth environmental movement, Friends for Change: Project Green (www.Disney.com/ProjectGreen), Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato and others joined the celebration, making special appearances throughout the day to show what’s possible when kids and families get together and volunteer to help the planet.
Video from “What’s New, What’s Next for Walt Disney World”
Here is a complete video of the festivities from last night’s “What’s New, What’s Next for Walt Disney World” press event, recorded by WDWNT’s own Matt Paul:
Banks Lee’s 2/10/10 “What’s New, What’s Next” Photo Report
Banks Lee attended the “What’s New, What’s Next for Walt Disney World” press conference on Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and has plenty of photos from the event to share:
The ESPN globe is in place
Read More about Banks Lee’s 2/10/10 “What’s New, What’s Next” Photo Report
Summer Nightastic Overview
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2010) – The “Main Street Electrical Parade” lights up the streets of Magic Kingdom and headlines a season of after-dark excitement coming to Walt Disney World Resort.
“After the sun goes down, our Walt Disney World parks will light up the night with ‘Summer Nightastic!’, ” announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, at a media event Wednesday.
Disney magic will shine and shimmer in a whole new light. Here’s a look around:
- With floats and characters appearing for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer, aboard bright new floats. Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” is set for its summer-long nighttime premiere in early June at Magic Kingdom.
- The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises. New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. If they dare.
- What could be more summery than fireworks on a star-studded night? Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular. The night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.
- Other fun! The return of the Sounds Like Summer concert series to Epcot and extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom several times a week add up to summer fun as only Disney can do – at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.
Official Announcement of “Summer Nightastic” from Disney
From the Disney Parks Blog:
Big news today…we’re thrilled to announce that one of the most beloved attractions in Disney history, the Main Street Electrical Parade, is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this summer – and it’ll be better than ever. The classic parade will feature new LED lights and new audio technology when it begins its limited engagement at Walt Disney World in early June 2010.
Tinker Bell will lead the parade waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. The parade’s return is part of Summer Nightastic! — an amazing lineup of new and enhanced entertainment planned this summer at Walt Disney World theme parks. For example, there will be new lighting effects and a new addition to Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Also, Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular.
There’s plenty more planned and we’ll have more details in upcoming weeks but we wanted to tell you what we knew first on The Disney Parks Blog. Check back here for more.
Disney Hotel Workers Start Hunger Strike
A update on the ongoing dispute between Disney hotel workers and management…
The workers union finally agreed to meditate as reported by the OC Register.
The Disney hotel union agreed to meet with a federal mediator shortly before members began a hunger strike Tuesday night to draw support to their side of a two-year contract dispute.
Outside Disney hotels, about 100 union members and backers marched in the rain, held a candlelight vigil under a tent and prayed as they supported 10 people who plan to consume only water for a week. Protesters, many wearing rain ponchos, presented flowers and candles in front of a picture of a Disney hotel worker who had a fatal heart attack on the job.
About an hour before the protest, Disney received a letter from the union, Unite Here Local 11, saying members would go along with mediation. Disney had sent a letter requesting the joint session Jan. 29. Union officials have said they doubt a resolution will be reached.
“Actions like this are not productive,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, about the hunger-strike event. “We think a more productive path to resolve this issue is through mediation.”
The union got support Tuesday from a prominent labor-movement figure: Dolores Huerta, who co-founded United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez. Huerta attended the event and pledged to fast at home for as long as she could.
“Hopefully, this fast will reach their hearts,” Huerta told the crowd about Disney.
Fasters decided to spend the night at the union’s offices, instead of in tents in front of the Grand Californian Hotel, because of the weather.
Brown said Disney planned to offer them a hotel ballroom if they had ended up camping in the rain.
Police determined that tents on public sidewalks are legal, as long as pedestrians can pass.
About 2,150 hotel workers have been working without a contract for two years. The main contention is over health-care costs: The union wants to keep its own health plan, which requires no employee contributions. Disney prefers that the members join the company program that deducts money from employees’ paychecks.
Mouseplanet reported on the Hunger-Strike and has several photos of the strike…
Update on the strike and meditation…
Disney and the hotel union are trying to set a mediation date as early as next week while members continue a hunger strike over a two-year contract dispute.
Ten members of the union, Unite Here, began a hunger strike Tuesday night. One participant, Eddie Carrington, had to drop out of the hunger strike on Wednesday night because his blood pressure was too high, said Leigh Shelton, a union spokeswoman. Carrington works in the laundry department at the Disneyland Hotel and recently hurt his shoulders on the job.
The strikers have set up tents outside the Grand Californian Hotel where they are staying during the week-long fast in which they are only consuming water. Some participants are blogging about their experiences on the union’s Web site HERE.
Disney reached out to the union Jan. 29 to request that the parties meet with a federal mediator, saying the company’s proposal from June still stands. Union members have agreed to meet with a mediator, but asked Disney to improve its offer, Shelton said.
Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, said Disney officials are ready to meet with union negotiators as soon as possible to begin discussions.
Unite Here Local 11 is holding daily events during the hunger strike, including a rally Thursday night that U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, attended, Shelton said.
At 3 p.m. Saturday, guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine is set to perform on Magic Way near the Disneyland Hotel. See a full schedule HERE.
“What’s New, What’s Next for WDW” Live Updates
In response to an overwhelming response from our followers, we are providing a number of ways to keep in touch with live updates from tonight’s announcements from the “What’s New, What’s Next for Walt Disney World” press conference from 5:30 PM through 6:45 PM ET. You can either follow the updates on Twitter by following us @wdwnt, by the special live interactive chat on WDWNTunes, or by refreshing this post that will be updated with information as it is provided. The updates will begin below shortly, we hope you enjoy our live coverage.
6:42 PM ET – Fireworks show at Magic Kingdom will be never seen before, not Magic, Music, and Mayhem.
6:29 PM ET – Summer Nightastic will also include extended hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom seven days a week, Main Street Electrical Parade will be the version of the parade that performed at Disney’s California Adventure in 2009
6:20 PM ET – Presentation ended, more details coming from post conference events, so stay tuned
6:10 PM ET – Tower of Terror additions may be temporary for Summer Nightastic or permanent, not sure
6:07 PM ET – Wide World of Sports talk – http://twitpic.com/12h4e8
6:06 PM ET – Disney Cruise Line stuff, not our bag 😉
6:00 PM ET – Parks Blog has info already on June 2010 MSEP return: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/02/main-street-electrical-parade-returns-to-walt-disney-world-resort-this-summer/
5:59 PM ET – Now on to Fantasyland Forest: http://twitpic.com/12h2tq
5:58 PM ET – Electrical Parade will have new floats that debuted at Disneyland in 2009 for WDW 2010 return
5:57 PM ET – Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios to get new drop sequences and effects, Magic Music and Mayhem fireworks coming to Magic Kingdom
5:56 PM ET – MSEP officially returns for Summer Nightastic: http://twitpic.com/12h25z
5:55 PM ET – Main Street Electrical Parade to return to Magic Kingdom
5:54 PM ET – Talking about recent changes
5:50 PM ET – Talking about Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
5:48 PM ET – Crofton Begins Presentation: http://twitpic.com/12h0kz
5:46 PM ET – Still waiting: http://twitpic.com/12gznv
5:37 PM ET – Another look at the stage: http://twitpic.com/12gy1i
5:35 PM ET -Meg Crofton and Al Weiss have arrived and taken a seat.
5:26 PM ET – Banks Lee has a front row seat: http://twitpic.com/12gvnp, http://twitpic.com/12gvmx
5:04 PM ET – Matt Paul intimidated by Channel 6’s equipment 🙂
4:54 PM ET – Another pic from inside the grill: http://twitpic.com/12goob
4:50 PM ET – Blurry picture of new ESPN Grill at Wide World of Sports: http://twitpic.com/12gocx
4:45 PM ET – WDWNT is checked in: http://twitpic.com/12gndc
4:40 PM ET – The event is being held at the new ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, which will be dedicated as such later this month: http://twitpic.com/12ghsy, http://twitpic.com/12gigp
World of Color Showing its Magic
World of Color is getting closer and closer, and we can only expect a huge test and adjust period for a show of this scale. Here are two very beautiful videos of World of Color testing showing the magnificent water screens, fountains, and lighting features that will be sure to dazzle audiences.
Disneyland Attendance Jumps
The OC Register reported on the earnings report that Disney released earlier today…
Attendance at Disneyland Resort parks jumped about 15 percent in winter months compared to the same period the previous year — the second quarter in a row that Anaheim venues experienced the same increase.
The Walt Disney Co. today released its earnings for the first quarter of 2010, which runs from Oct. 4 to Jan. 2.
Top Disney officials credited the attendance hike partly to the big-drawing New Years holiday, which fell in the second quarter of the previous year. The week between Christmas and New Years Day is traditionally among the busiest of the year at the Disneyland Resort.
But late summer and early fall months also had a big jump in attendance with a 15 percent hike in the last quarter of the 2009 fiscal year.
Without the shift of the New Years dates, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure’s attendance would have jumped about 15 percent and Florida parks would have seen a 1 percent drop in attendance, said Jay Rasulo, chief financial officer for the Walt Disney Co., during a conference call with investors.
Overall, domestic park attendance went up 9 percent in the first quarter.
Fewer visitors, however, stayed at Disneyland Resort’s three hotels: Grand Californian, Paradise Pier and Disneyland hotels. There, occupancy was about 78 percent — 7 percent lower than the prior year, Rasulo said. Disneyland Resort hotel guests also spent less money.
So far since January, hotel bookings are down 10 percent compared to the previous year, Rasulo said.
Last year, Disney parks ramped up discounts, offering free nights, dining and gift cards with hotel packages as a way to bring in more tourists during the economic downturn. Southern California residents also could get multi-day passes at reduced rates. But Disney officials are starting to reduce the discounts and are unsure when they will stop offering such promotions.
“We look at every quarter as we can, gauge the response to the consumer and act accordingly,” Rasulo said.
Worldwide, revenues stayed flat for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, taking in about $2.7 billion. Profits dropped about 2 percent to $375 million, mostly because of decreased attendance and hotel stays at Disneyland Paris.
Last month, Disney released its annual report, which gives more specific figures for the Disneyland Resort. Here are some of the key numbers from fiscal year 2009:
- Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure’s attendance jumped 7 percent. Overall, domestic parks’ attendance was up about 2 percent, the same as the year before.
- Disneyland Resort visitors spent 9 percent less than they did the previous year.
- Occupancy and spending also were down at the three local hotels. About 80 percent of the rooms were filled on average, compared to 88 percent the year before.
Hotel visitors per room spent about $315 on average — $24 less than the prior year.
You can find the official report from Disney Here
Update: Disney attendance jumped 20%, not 15% as reported above