Press Release – Page 13

The Summer Shapes Up at WDW

WDWNT on March 3, 2009

Wondering if you should visit the Walt Disney World Resort this summer? Disney thinks that you should, and has put out a press release to tell you about everything new and upcoming at WDW:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – From May through August 2009, summer simmers with exciting new attractions and events at Walt Disney World Resort. The smash TV hit “American Idol” inspires a new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while, at Magic Kingdom, a Liberty Square icon reopens its doors and street parties turn up the spirit as Disney’s “What Will You Celebrate?” hits full-stride. Treehouse lodging is back, resort guests now can save some time by checking in online before they arrive, Stars Wars Weekends let guests release their inner Jedi, and Downtown Disney unwraps new fun – on the ground and in the air…

Summer Fun at The American Idol Experience

While guests are usually the ones to enjoy the attractions and shows at Walt Disney World Resort, “The American Idol Experience” places Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests in the spotlight, immersing them in the thrill of auditioning and performing or voting on their favorite musical performances.

Modeled after the famous “American Idol” television show, the newly opened Walt Disney World attraction makes dreams come true by showcasing the talents of park guests age 14 and older who have aced the auditions (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early).

Like the television show, fans – not the onstage judges – have the final say on who is deemed the best of the best. With seating to accommodate 1,000 audience members, the high-tech theater is wired so guests can vote for their favorite singer.

What Will You Celebrate? Adds Gifting Option, Park Fun

During “What Will You Celebrate?” inviting Disney Parks guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences, ways for guests to customize and personalize a visit are endless.

With everything from fireworks cruises, street parties and behind-the-scenes tours to specialty cakes and in-room decorations to choose from, guests who have decided their answer to “What Will You Celebrate?” have more choices as they ponder, “How will I celebrate?” The fun is nonstop, too, with a party spirit stamping the new “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” street party in the Magic Kingdom. Floats, a cast of Disney characters, stilt walkers and more “move it” down Main Street, U.S.A. accompanied by high-energy tunes and an open invitation to guests to come join the fun.

Main Street, U.S.A. also is home to the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade, a tweaked send-up of the former Dreams Come True parade with changes to some of the floats and soundtracks and the grand marshal in the lead role. Singers and dancers as before invite guests lining the parade route to come join in the celebration.

With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor a celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Thanks to new Web planning tools, learning about available choices and then customizing a “celebration vacation” itinerary – or “gifting” a celebrating family member or friend with a personalized Disney experience – is easier than ever. Through www.disneyparks.com, guests (or their travel agents) choose the celebration destination – Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With a click, they access an interactive online celebration “planner” to shop the many experiences that are a cornerstone of a “celebration vacation” at Disney Parks – experiences that transform guests into the stars of their own party whether the occasion is a birthday, anniversary, Quinceanera, personal triumph or any celebration.

Now there is also a way to participate in a guest’s upcoming celebration visit when you can’t be there: by “gifting.” The giver reviews the possibilities using the online planner, then calls a Disney Dream Maker to personalize and customize the gift. At Walt Disney World Resort, Dream Makers can be reached at 407/WDW-GIFT.

Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22-June 14, 2009, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the temporary home for a band of out-of-this-world characters, including Wookiees, Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Rodians. Dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7 and June 12-14.

A giant, “A to Z” gathering of Star Wars characters – from Anakin Skywalker to Zam Wesell – will roam the streets of the theme park during meet-and-greet sessions. Jedi Training Academy – one of the interactive entertainment experiences featured in the theme park – takes place throughout the day on the event’s main stage and allows young guests to learn from a Jedi Master before testing newly acquired skills in a battle with Darth Vader.

Also featured: the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, special Star Wars parades, rides on the famed Star Tours attraction, and autograph sessions and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses.

Event activities are included in theme park admission. For more information, guests may go online to www.starwars.com or www.disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends.

Hall of Presidents to Reopen in July

A July reopening is planned for the Hall of Presidents, an iconic attraction in Magic Kingdom. An Audio-Animatronics version of President Barack Obama will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States as part of an attraction that has been celebrating American history since Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. Disney Imagineers are also updating a broad array of show elements.

Whole New World of Lodging Greets Summer Guests

New home-like accommodations presented by Disney Vacation Club are debuting in time for summer guests. New options will combine to revive “treehouse living” at Walt Disney World Resort and immerse guests in the African experience.

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Treehouse living, a cherished Disney World tradition from 1975-2002, returns with the opening (scheduled for summer) of 60 three-bedroom villas elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the forest glens where they are nestled, providing Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa with a new room category.

Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Fresh from the conversion of select rooms at Jambo House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) into vacation villas, Kidani Village is taking shape (for phased openings scheduled in the spring and fall) with thatched roofs and hewn timber design. Kidani means “necklace,” and the building is shaped like a piece of native African jewelry with villas forming the beads, garden-like walkways creating the knots in between and the lobby representing the ornament or jewel at its center. With the spring opening comes Sanaa, a new family dining location, featuring savanna views and serving familiar foods from tandoor ovens and slow-cooked specialties with flavorful spices of Africa.

Disney Vacation Club accommodations can be booked by anyone for overnight stays through www.disneyworld.com or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639).

Walt Disney World Resort Debuts Online Check-In Service

Walt Disney World Resort has launched Online Check-In Service, designed to simplify and streamline guest arrivals. The new service is complimentary and available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts.

Within 10 days of their arrival dates, guests are able to provide check-in information, advise the resort of their arrival times and request room preferences (although those cannot be guaranteed). Guests can also register the names of all the people in their party and provide a credit card to cover charges at the resort hotel.

Upon arrival at their resorts, guests visit a special welcome location where their room keys and other registration material are waiting. Disney Cast Members are also available to provide additional information and answer questions.

Meeting professionals can also arrange private group check-in at a Disney resort convention center or other locations.

For more information about the new Online Check-In Service or to make a resort reservation, call 407-W-DISNEY or your local travel agent or click on disneyworld.com.

New and Aloft at Downtown Disney: Aerophile!

Imagine an eagle’s-eye view of the Downtown Disney area, with sweeping, 10-mile panoramas of Lake Buena Vista and environs. Downtown Disney greets summer guests with a new iconic attraction in the form of a giant tethered balloon – Aerophile — that will take guests 300 feet into the air from the waterfront. The 72-foot-diameter balloon can lift up to 30 guests at a time on a six-minute ‘’flight,’’ by day or night. Aerophile made a spring debut at Downtown Disney’s West Side. It joins other newcomers at Downtown Disney for summer:

TrenD, a hip new Downtown Disney Marketplace boutique with urban-inspired fashions.

Disney Design-a-Tee, presented by Hanes, inviting Marketplace guests to personalize the popular souvenir to their own tastes.

T-Rex : A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover – a fun prehistoric environment millions of years in the making.

Downtown Disney restaurant from E-Brands, Paradiso 37, a restaurant from E-Brands featuring Mexican and South American cuisine.

‘’Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration’’ Dance Party Debuts

He’s the Guru of Gross-Out, the Maker of Mischief. Now, everybody’s favorite galactic pal stars in ‘’Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration,’’ a high-energy, retro-futuristic music video dance party in Magic Kingdom. The fun features Stitch, an interactive dance troupe and a DJ celebration host who invites all Tomorrowland guests to come party, dance and celebrate.

Some new details that can be found throughout this release include:

Renaming the upcoming “Characters in Flight” balloon “Aerophile”
The new TrenD store will sell Disney-made urban fashions
E-Brands’ new restaurant on Pleasure Island will be called “Paradiso 37”, not “El Dolbe” as originally reported

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gather details on these upcoming offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Yanks Score Big at ESPN the Weekend

WDWNT on March 2, 2009

BATTER UP!: New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia (left) and Joba Chamberlain (right) experience the “Toy Story Mania!” 3-D attraction March 1, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The two hurlers were at Walt Disney World Resort for “ESPN The Weekend,” a special event in the theme park. The Yankees conduct Spring Training in nearby Tampa, Fla. and play at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex against the Atlanta Braves twice during Spring Training 2009. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Check-In Online…. Finally

WDWNT on February 26, 2009

The new online check-in system for Walt Disney World Resort hotels we told you about many months ago is now finally up and running according to Disney:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2009) – Walt Disney World Resort launched a new Online Check-In Service today, designed to simplify and streamline guest arrivals. The new service is complimentary and available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts open as of February 2009.

Within 10 days of their arrival dates, guests are able to provide check-in information, advise the resort of their arrival times and request room preferences (although those cannot be guaranteed). Guests can also register the names of all the people in their party and provide a credit card to cover charges at the resort hotel.

Upon arrival at their resorts, guests visit a special welcome location where their room keys and other registration material are waiting. Disney cast members are also available to provide additional information and answer questions.

Meeting professionals can also arrange private group check-in at a Disney resort convention center or other locations.

“Our new Online Check-In Service offers added convenience and time savings for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of Resort Operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “It’s the latest benefit created as part of our continuous effort to provide a seamless and hassle-free arrival experience for our guests as they begin their Disney vacation.”

Online Check-In Service is the newest Disney service designed to simplify the travel and arrival process. Guests staying at select Walt Disney World hotels get an extra dose of pixie dust with great perks and services including: Complimentary on-property transportation; Disney’s Magical Express, which offers complimentary airport shuttle and luggage delivery; and Extra Magic Hours, where each day one of the Walt Disney World theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to three hours later, providing extra time in the parks to experience select attractions.

For more information about the new Online Check-In Service, click on disneyworld.com.

Move ‘Em! Shake ‘Em! Manage ‘Em!

WDWNT on February 20, 2009

The recent changes in the entire “Disney Parks and Resorts” management structure has brought about some interesting additions and repositioning in Walt Disney World management. From the Orlando Sentinel:

The number two executive at Walt Disney World is being bumped up to run newly merged resort functions between Orlando and Anaheim, Calif.

Erin Wallace, who has been the senior vice president of operations at Disney World since August 2006, moves to the new position senior vice president of operations integration/line of business for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Disney announced the move Thursday, one day after unveiling a broad restructuring of its U.S. theme parks designed to consolidate operations between Disney World and Disneyland. The company, which has been hit hard by a sharp drop in consumer spending, will cut an undisclosed number of jobs in the coming weeks as part of the streamlining.

In her new role, Wallace will oversee a series of combined functions at Disney’s domestic parks. They include merchandise development, entertainment and imaging, attractions, lodging, animal programs and environmental initiatives.

Wallace, 49, has been with Disney for more than 23 years. She began in the resort’s industrial engineering department, and her assignments have included vice president in charge of the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s flagship theme park.

Wallace will report to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations at Disney’s parks and resorts division.

Disney also said Thursday that it has named Dan Cockerell to run Epcot, the second-busiest of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks. Cockerell, previously a general manager in the Magic Kingdom, succeeds Jim MacPhee, who will now oversee special projects at the Orlando resort.

Each of the vice presidents overseeing individual theme parks will continue to report directly to Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. So will MacPhee and the executives in charge of Downtown Disney, golf operations, sports facilities and transportation.

Crofton will continue to report to Weiss.

At the same time as it combines operational functions at its U.S. parks, Disney is also consolidating real-estate and business development functions into one unit and all of Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s attraction-design arm, into another unit.

The goal, a Disney spokesman said, is to develop “a three-pronged team” within Disney’s parks division, with one charged with developing new initiatives such as new parks and expansions, another with designing and building the infrastructure, and the third with running day-to-day operations.

Disney’s parks division, which accounts for more than a quarter of the Disney Co.’s total revenue, has taken other streamlining steps. Last week, the division announced that Disney Cruise Line and the Adventures by Disney packaged-tour business would be merged into a single department “focused on operating the businesses that take the Disney brand to new places.”

“One-Disney”, Multiple Layoffs

WDWNT on February 19, 2009

While we provided you with Disney’s side of the story yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel is offering a fresh perspective into the entire shake-up going on throughout the domestic “Disney Parks” in both Orlando and Anaheim:

The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday said it will eliminate an undisclosed number of jobs as part of a sweeping corporate overhaul at its domestic resorts, which includes plans to combine back-office operations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Disney would not say how many jobs it intends to cut or how much money it expects to save through the moves. The company employs about 80,000 people at its U.S. resorts, including 62,000 in Central Florida.

With the shake-up, Disney will consolidate East and West Coast “operating infrastructure” — responsibilities ranging from procurement to menu-planning to merchandise — under Al Weiss, the president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The plans also call for uniting disparate creative engineering and business-development units under single executives.

In a statement, Disney said it was forced to speed up corporate streamlining plans by the worsening global recession, which has eroded revenue at its theme parks and elsewhere across the Burbank, Calif.-company’s media and entertainment empire.

“These changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today’s economic realities,” Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said in the statement. In a separate memo to employees Wednesday, Rasulo wrote that “organization changes require difficult decisions, including the elimination of some roles.”

“These decisions were not made lightly and we know this will be a challenging transition. The people affected are our friends and colleagues, and they have made valuable contributions,” Rasulo added in the memo. The announcement comes the same month Disney revealed that its first-quarter profits fell 32 percent. Operating profit in the parks-and-resorts division fell 24 percent during the three-month period, which ended Dec. 27. It also follows Disney’s decision last month to offer buyouts to more than 600 executives at its domestic resorts. A spokesman said Disney received “a satisfactory response” to the offer, though Disney would not say how many executives took the buyouts.

The risk of over-cutting

John Gerner, managing director of Leisure Business Advisors, a Richmond, Va., consultant firm, said Disney likely will be able to make deep cost cuts by consolidating operations.

“I think it definitely has quite a lot of potential for savings. . . . As far as the theme parks go, there’s definitely economies of scale in being able to merge all those operations together to the extent that they can and centralize them,” Gerner said.

But Gerner said Disney, which relies on a constant infusion of fresh content to fuel everything from park attendance to DVD sales, must not cut too deeply in creative areas.

“They’ve got to be careful because there are so many very specialized people that work for Disney, especially on the creative side, that would be very difficult to replace once things turn around,” Gerner said. “That’s what a lot of creative companies, not only Disney, have to rely on.”

In addition to steering “operating infrastructure” at the Orlando and Anaheim, Calif., parks through Weiss, Disney said that its Walt Disney Imagineering unit would be reorganized into a single practice reporting to Bruce Vaughn, executive vice president and chief creative executive, and Craig Russell, executive vice president and chief design and project-delivery executive.

A new ‘global’ team

The company also said it would establish a new “Global Business Development team” headed by Executive Vice President Nick Franklin, which will be charged with combining existing business and real-estate development functions. The unit will be responsible for focusing growth strategies at existing parks-and-resorts businesses and identifying new opportunities around the globe. Vaughn, Russell and Franklin all are based in California.

Disney said other departments will make “appropriate changes” in the coming weeks.

As an example of what it hopes to achieve through the streamlining, Disney pointed to the simultaneous development of Toy Story Mania! attractions at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando and Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, which helped hold down design costs.

The corporate overhaul means fewer employees will now report directly to Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World, and Ed Grier, president of Disneyland.

Celebrate Race Week

WDWNT on February 11, 2009

Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon (left) takes a spin with his wife Ingrid (right) and two-year-old daughter Ella (front right) February 9, 2009 on the Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Gordon visited the Walt Disney World theme parks the week leading up to the 51st running of the Daytona 500.

Doorway to Dreams Leads to Long Island

WDWNT on February 10, 2009

Disney has confirmed that it will be opening a second “Doorway to Dreams” Disney Vacation Club sales location (in my backyard) on Long Island, New York in the summer of 2009:

Scheduled to open later this summer, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will offer Roosevelt Field visitors and Long Island, N.Y.-area residents a convenient and exciting way to learn firsthand about Disney Vacation Club, an innovative vacation-ownership program that helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on decades of future vacations.

Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will showcase the accommodations at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels, which are spacious and offer numerous home-like amenities. These vacation villas provide families with a place to relax and spend quality time together either at Disney destinations worldwide or at more than 500 other popular vacation locations around the world. This convenient mall location will give them a glimpse of the choices they have, from a magical stay at the Walt Disney World Resort or a relaxing cruise aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship to a family-friendly, interactive Adventures by Disney trip or an exotic jaunt to South America.

“Our first Disney’s Doorway to Dreams location has been very popular and a great way for Chicago-area residents and visitors to learn more about the family vacation experiences available through Disney Vacation Club,” said Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. “Now, we are delighted to bring Disney’s Doorway to Dreams to New York, which is one the top markets for our rapidly growing membership base, so that more people can discover all that Disney Vacation Club has to offer.”

To help families envision just what those vacations will entail, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams, located at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, NY, will feature a full-scale, two-bedroom model of the vacation home accommodations Disney Vacation Club members and their families can expect to find at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels.

“Disney has always been a unique and innovative leader in the timeshare industry,” said Howard C. Nusbaum, chief executive officer of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). “Now, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams allows New York-area families the chance to experience how a timeshare ownership can help ensure years and years of memorable family vacations.”

Designed to create a fun and immersive experience, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams is planned to go beyond featuring model accommodations to offer an interactive family vacation discovery zone, comfortable discussion areas and a supervised children’s play area within its approximately 6,900 square feet of retail space.

Celebrating more than 50 years of offering more choices, Roosevelt Field is located at the intersection of Old Country Road and the Meadowbrook Parkway in Garden City and is managed by Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The mall offers unparalleled customer service with amenities including Simon Giftcards, good everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted and Simon American Express Giftcards, which can be used everywhere American Express cards are welcomed; Ticketmaster at Simon Guest Services, valet parking; complimentary wheelchairs; strollers and a post office. It is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney, Bloomingdale’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods and has more than 270 specialty stores. For more information, please go to www.simon.com.

For more information about Disney Vacation Club and the new Disney’s Doorway to Dreams preview center, please visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

“I Went to Disney World!”

WDWNT on February 2, 2009

Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, rides Feb. 2, 2009 in a celebratory parade with Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Holmes’ visit came only hours after his “I’m Going to Disney World!” pronouncement in Tampa, Fla., following the Steelers’ last-minute, 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Holmes’ visit to Walt Disney World was part of Disney Parks’ new “What Will You Celebrate?” initiative. The wide receiver, who caught the game-winning pass in the Super Bowl, co-starred with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the famous “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial which aired after the game. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

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Of course, this report would be incomplete without a certain commercial that will be airing this week:

“I’ve Gone to Disney World”

WDWNT on February 1, 2009

As many of us settle down to watch the Super Bowl this evening, it’s important to remember that a certain exemplary player from the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers or Arizona Cardinals will be declaring “I’m going to Disney World” after their victory. Before that takes place, Disney would like to remind us of the many champions from different sports that have already made this famous statement over the last 22 years:

First Spot: Super Bowl XXI (Phil Simms, New York Giants)
Number of Spots Since Inception: 39

Chronology of “I’m going to Disney World” Spots:

2008 Super Bowl XLII (Eli Manning, New York Giants)
American Idol (David Cook)
2007 Super Bowl XLI (Tony Dungy and Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts)
2006 Super Bowl XL (Hines Ward, with Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers)
2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII (Tom Brady, New England Patriots)
Major League Baseball World Series Champions (Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox)
2003 Super Bowl XXXVII (Jon Gruden and Brad Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2002 Super Bowl XXXVI (Tom Brady, New England Patriots)
2001 Super Bowl XXXV (Trent Dilfer, Baltimore Ravens)
Major League Baseball home run record (Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants)
2000 Super Bowl XXXIV (Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams)
1999 Super Bowl XXXIII (Terrell Davis and John Elway, Denver Broncos)
Women’s World Cup (United States Championship Team)
1998 Super Bowl XXXII (John Elway, Denver Broncos)
Major League Baseball home run record (Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals)
1997 Super Bowl XXXI (Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers)
Holiday Gift-Giving (Santa Claus)
1996 Super Bowl XXX (Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys)
1995 Super Bowl XXIX (Jerry Rice and Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers)
1994 Super Bowl XXVIII (Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys)
Olympics (Nancy Kerrigan, U.S. Figure Skater)
1993 Super Bowl XXVII (Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys)
Stanley Cup (Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens)
1992 Super Bowl XXVI (Mark Rypien, Washington Redskins)
1991 Super Bowl XXV (Ottis Anderson, N.Y. Giants)
NBA (Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls)
1990 Super Bowl XXIV (Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers)
Graduation (Jim Thompson of Temple University, and
Matt Kaldenberg, Phyllis Kaldenberg and Laura McEwen of Simpson College)
1989 Super Bowl XXIII (Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers)
NHL (Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames)
NBA (Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons)
1988 Super Bowl XXII (Doug Williams, Washington Redskins)
Miss America (Gretchen Carlson)
World Series (Orel Hershiser, L.A. Dodgers)
NBA (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers)
1987 Super Bowl XXI (Phil Simms, N.Y. Giants)
America’s Cup (Dennis Conner)
NBA (Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers)
World Series (Frank Viola, Minnesota Twins)

The Super Bowl has been the catalyst for the most “I’m going to Disney World” spots (20)
There have been four “I’m going to Disney World” repeaters: Joe Montana (1989 and 1990), Emmitt Smith (1994 and 1996), John Elway (1998 and 1999) and Tom Brady (2002 and 2004).
“I’m going to Disney World” spots immediately following the Super Bowl have featured non-Super Bowl MVPs eight times: 1989, 1995 (shared), 1996, 1998, 1999 (shared), 2001, 2003 and 2007.

The Entire Experience

WDWNT on January 30, 2009

We have been able to gather quite a bit of information on the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the last week and we thought we would share it in one large post. Below is the latest picture and videos (embedded from our fantastic WDWNTube video site, of course) released by Disney to promote Walt Disney World’s newest attraction, as well as the complete list of songs that will be available to contestants. Keep in mind the attraction opens officially on February 14th, 2009, but is currently holding soft previews daily.

TV and radio personality Ryan Seacrest poses in front of The American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Seacrest, who hosts the popular “American Idol” television show, also stars in the new Walt Disney World theme park attraction which opens to park guests Feb. 14, 2009. In the attraction, park guests can vote on their favorite performance, or audition with the chance to perform on stage. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

Songs Contestants Can Sing in the Show:

Disney Songs

Best of Both Worlds (Hannah Montana)

Bet On It (High School Musical 2)

Breaking Free (High School Musical)

Circle of Life (The Lion King)

Colors of the Wind (Pocohontas)

Ever Ever After (Enchanted)

Go The Distance (Hercules)

Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid)

Play My Music (Camp Rock)

Reflection (Mulan)

Rock Star (Hannah Montana)

This Is Me (Camp Rock)

You’ll Be In My Heart (Tarzan)

Country

Achy Breaky Heart

All-American Girl

Amazed

Boot Scootin’ Boogie

Breathe

Do You Believe Me Now

How Do I Live (Without You)

I Hope You Dance

I Like It, I Love It

I Told You So

Independence Day

It’s Good to be Us

Life is a Highway

Lost

Man, I Feel Like A Woman

My Wish

Our Song

Sweet Home Alabama

This Kiss

Walkin’ After Midnight

What Hurts The Most

Disco

Dance Best of My Love

Fame

Hot Stuff

I Will Survive

Knock On Wood

Last Dance

Never Can Say Goodbye

Turn Your Love Around

You’re The First, The Last, My Everything

Latin

1-2-3

Bailamos

Just Another Day

La Bamba

Smooth

Turn The Beat Around

Waiting for Tonight

Rock/Pop Up Tempo

Big Girls Don’t Cry

Black Horse and a Cherry Tree

Bohemian Rhapsody

Breakaway

Don’t Stop The Music

Express Yourself

Face Down

Footloose

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

I Can See Clearly Now

I Feel The Earth Move

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

If Everyone Cared

No One

Old Time Rock and Roll

Over You

Rock With You

Since U Been Gone

Somebody to Love

Suspicious Minds

Sway

The Great Escape

Walk Away

Walking On Sunshine

You Really Got Me Now

You’re My Best Friend

Rock/Pop Ballad

A Moment Like This

Alone

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me

Drops of Jupiter

Home

If It Makes You Happy

Iris

Just Once

Kiss From a Rose

Looks Like We Made It

Stand By Me

Unchained Melody

Walkin’ In Memphis

What a Wonderful World

Your Song

Motown

100 Ways

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg

For Once In My Life Meduim

Get Ready

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

I Want You Back

I Wish

I’ll Be There

Midnight Train to Georgia

New Attitude

Reach Out, I’ll Be There

RESPECT

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Stop In The Name of Love

Superstition

Then Came You

Vision of Love

You Are The Sunshine of My Life

You Keep Me Hangin’ On

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

You’re All I Need To Get By

The Audition Process:

The Audience Experience:

Setting The Stage:

Be sure to stay tuned for continuing coverage of the American Idol Experience as we get closer to the official opening day on February 14th, 2009.

Tag: Press Release