http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118012886.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

In what marks the third high-profile film that Disney has halted since Rich Ross
took the studio reins, "Wild Hogs 2: Bachelor Ride" has been scrapped.

The Touchstone Pictures sequel to the 2007 hit was revving up to begin
production by next summer, with Walt Becker back as director, and John Travolta,
Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy reprising their roles as biker
pals in midlife crisis.
Original scribe Brad Copeland had written the sequel script, and new writers
were in the process of being hired. That ended this week, when word came down
that the picture wasn't going to get made. While discussions were under way with
the cast, nobody was pay or play.
Disney's release of the Becker-directed "Old Dogs," which starred Travolta and
Williams, was poorly reviewed and did not do strong business at the box office.

The move comes after the studio pulled the plug on another Touchstone comedy --
the Robin Williams-Anna Faris comedy "Wedding Banned." Last month, Disney
drydocked "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," a Disney label production that was
steaming toward a February production start. It wasn't immediately clear whether
creative challenges played a role in the demise of "Wild Hogs 2," but the
understanding in the community is that getting a production start on a film in
the Mouse House will be a big challenge if it doesn't squarely fit the Disney
family branded model. That means it's even tougher for Touchstone films, which
are designed to be edgier.

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=236667

This was largely expected news as Rich Ross of the Disney Channel has been named
Dick Cook's replacement as Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Here is the
press release, and a New York Times article with some quick analysis.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091\
005006544&newsLang=en

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/rich-ross-to-run-disneys-movie-\
studio/

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=235873

Deadlinehollywooddaily is saying he was fired:


Quote:
3RD UPDATE: I hear that, after his meeting with Bob Iger, Dick Cook called a
staff meeting -- "a big, big room full of people" -- and told them that he'd
been fired after 38 years at Disney. Then Dick teared up. He explained his
ouster by saying that he and Iger had never had a close relationship where
they'd been on the same wave length.

2ND UPDATE: Disney is adamantly telling people tonight that Dick Cook was not
fired. But that's not what Cook himself is telling Hollywood. I'm told that he
was called in to see Bob Iger and given the news that "it was over". "He got
blindsided by Iger. He never saw it coming," one source who just now spoke to
Cook tells me. However, several months ago, rumors were floating that Iger was
going to fire Cook because of the motion picture division's recent record of
failures (along with some big successes) at the box office. When I asked top
execs about this, I was given firm denials. (Then rumors began that Oren Aviv
would be axed. Again, denials.) Iger himself talked to analysts about the motion
picture division problems which pulled down Disney's earnings of late. "Iger has
no reason to be happy with the label," a Disney insider tells me. "Choices have
been made that not only are unspectacular, but even poor. Not only have the
movies lost money, which can happen to anybody, but they've also diminished the
live action brand."

There can be no doubt that Cook was one of the most popular executives ever to
work in showbiz. Tonight, Hollywood can't believe this has happened, especially
on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. "I'm shocked by Dick's ouster. I love him more than
life," one Disney insider told me, adding, "I walked out of a meeting and heard
this. And, 4 minutes later, you post it." It's reminding old Disney hands of the
day when Michael Eisner blindsided Jeffrey Katzenberg by firing him. "If your
mandate if is to up the Disney brand, then how do you fire somebody who has 38
years of institutional brand knowledge of Disney?"

Naturally, the guessing game of who would replace Cook began immediately. "I
don't know who Iger thinks he can find who'll be able to come in there and
already have relations with Spielberg, and Zemeckis, and Bruckheimer, and
Lasseter, and Burton, like this guy had." And then there is the fact that so
many divisions report to Cook that his replacement also must be an experienced
administrator as well as have deep talent relations. And that ain't easy.

There's been a lot of talk that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige spent a lot
of time with Disney CEO Bob Iger during the dealmaking to buy the company, and
Feige impressed the hell out of Iger. Of course, there's also the new DreamWorks
CEO Stacey Snider whose resume includes running Universal, after all, and who
could further cement Steven Spielberg's control at his new moviemaking home.
("But she can't. She's a long-term partner with Steven and Reliance in
DreamWorks. She not available," said a DreamWorks spokesperson.)

--- In preservethemagic@yahoogroups.com, "sesshou_maru" <sesshou_maru@...>
wrote:
>
> Strange but true:
>
> http://comicrelated.com/news/2940/disneys-press-release
>
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/mwop/moviefile/2009/08/disney-buys-marvel-t\
he-pros-an.php

Today, the news broke that Disney has bought Marvel Entertainment, lock stock
and barrel, for $4 billion. That includes Marvel Comics, with over 5,000
characters, and Marvel Studios, with the successful Iron Man and Hulk film
franchises, plus the upcoming Thor, Captain America and The Avengers. It seems
like it's a win-win scenario -- Disney gets a boys' brand to bookend the Disney
Princesses, and Marvel gets some global multimedia clout -- but what does this
really mean for our beloved Marvel superheroes? As fans, these are just a few
things we're worried and/or excited about.

Pro: Behold, the Power of Disney
Considering that their comic-book rival, DC Comics, is owned by massive
conglomerate Time Warner, Marvel's been doing pretty well for themselves,
creating their own movie studio and somehow managing to turn out more movies
based on their characters than Warner Bros. could for DC. Still, having the
massive might of Disney in their corner can only help them, visibility-wise,
which should help them knock The Dark Knight off of its high box-office horse.
Also, Disney wants to bring the characters licensed to Fox (X-Men, Fantastic
Four) and Sony (Spider-Man) back in-house for even more crossover action, and
take over from Paramount as distributor of Marvel Studios' films. "It clearly
would be in our best interest if we ended up as the sole distributor," said
Disney Chief Executive Robert A. Iger in a press conference.

Con: Hail to Our New Corporate Overlords
Will being a division of Disney mean a kinder, gentler Marvel Universe? Iger
indicated that they don't want to tamper with Marvel's successful movie formula,
saying "the bottom line is, we like what they've been doing so far," but it
still gives one pause to see Marvel's occasionally dark and gritty universe
stamped with a pair of mouse ears. Of course, if it means that we'll actually
get some halfway decent Marvel cartoons out of the deal, thanks to the Disney
Channel, then this might turn out to be a boon, but the live-action aspect is
what worries us. Can you imagine an Xavier's School Musical with an all-mutant
cast, or a Hannah Montana/Dazzler secret-identity comedy?

Pro: Marvel, Meet Pixar
When Pixar's Incredibles came out, there were many comparisons to their clear
inspiration, Marvel's own Fantastic Four. The fact that Incredibles was a much
better movie than either FF film didn't help. But now that they're all part of
the Disney family (Disney bought Pixar back in 2006), we can't wait to see what
Pixar might do with the established heroes of the Marvel Universe. "The [Pixar]
group got pretty excited pretty fast," said Iger. Maybe a crossover is in order?
Incredibly Fantastic, anyone?

Con: No More DC/Marvel Crossovers?
Granted, it's been decades since Marvel and DC were on good enough terms to do a
crossover anyway, but now that Disney and Warner Bros. are in the drivers'
seats, does this mean we'll never again see Superman fight the Hulk, or Captain
America fight Batman? Or will cooler, more fiscally minded heads prevail and
make this happen? Our money's on the former.

Pro: Marvel Amusement Park Awesomeness
Universal Studios may have their own Marvel-themed Islands of Adventure, but
imagine getting to hang out with your favorite costumed superheroes at Disney
World and Disneyland! The last time I went to Disney World, the highlight of the
weekend was getting my picture taken with Launchpad McQuack, so this is a game
changer for me. Plus, we'd love to see some more Marvel-based rides at the
parks, like the Haunted Avengers Mansion, Spaceknight Mountain and Pirates of
Patented Stark Enterprises Technology.

Con: Mickey Mouse in a Spider-Man Outfit
With this new merger, expect to hear the phrase "Spidey Mouse" at some point.
And to see Minnie make out with an upside-down Mickey in the rain.

Pro: Donald Duck and Howard the Duck Settle Their Beef
Back in the late 1970s, Disney threatened to sue Marvel if they didn't change
the look of their character Howard the Duck, who wore a blue jacket, blue hat
and no pants. From that point on, he was required to wear pants at all times,
including in the 1986 movie. Now, hopefully, Howard can not only go pantsless
again, but hang out with fellow exhibitionist Donald in a friendly setting, i.e.
Lea Thompson's house.

How do you feel about this colliding of worlds? Sound off below.

Strange but true:

http://comicrelated.com/news/2940/disneys-press-release

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=323132&page=30

"Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie" is TV's No. 1 Entertainment Telecast of
2009 in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14, and is Cable's No. 1 Telecast in Viewers

Disney Channel Holds Basic Cable's Top 4 Scripted Telecasts Since 2007 with
"High School Musical 2," "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie," a "Hannah
Montana" Telecast and "Wizards On Deck With Hannah Montana"

Disney Channel Owns Summer 2009's Top 3 Scripted Cable Telecasts in Viewers, and
TV's Top 3 in Tweens 9-14 With "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie," "Wizards On
Deck With Hannah Montana" and "Princess Protection Program"

Among Disney Channel's 77 Original Movie Premieres, "Wizards of Waverly Place
The Movie" is No. 2 DCOM Ever in Total Viewers and Key Kids

For the 3rd consecutive summer, Disney Channel is TV's No. 1 network in Total
Day in Tweens 9-14, and also ranked No. 1 in Kids 6-11. In Total Viewers, this
summer wrapped as the net's most-watched summer ever.

With only 3 days to factor in, Disney Channel is on pace to deliver the largest
Kid 6-11 audience for any cable net in history in Total Day.

http://www.thefoxnation.com/business/2009/08/14/miley-cyrus-and-friends-tell-tee\
ns-watch-their-carbon-footprint

Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers recently teamed up
to record Send It On — an eco pop song that is part of Disney's "Friends for
Change: Project Green" initiative.

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/08/13/disney-tweens-go-green-with-send-it-on-eco-po\
p-song/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Classic-Disney-Channel/92296617979?ref=search&sid=\
1380560379.3584220538..1

Because we all know that the new station they call Disney Channel is really just
crap for any child between the ages of 5 and 10. Hannah Montana, High School
Musical, and Wizards of Waverly Place ruined legitimate television as we know
it.

http://www.facebook.com/search/?init=srp&sfxp=&o=65&q=Old+Disney+Channel#/pages/\
Old-School-Disney-Channel-1983-2004/74641604705?ref=search&sid=1380560379.124493\
3547..1

Before High School Musical it was tolerant. Before the got rid of Zoog and Vault
Disney it was hip but not annoying like it is today, but still treated the
classics decently. Before that it was somewhere you could find Mickey, Donald,
Goofy

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=233841

In an interview with Radio 10, Cris Morena, creator of the show, announced she
sold the American rights for Disney.

The show will apparently be called "Flinderella" in the English dub.

Flor is a bubbly 20-year-old orphan, who lives on her own in a humble hostel,
surrounded only by her friends and dreams. Her life changes when she is forced
to leave the hostel and find a new place to live.

She lands a job as an assistant nanny at the Fritzenwalden mansion, a place
which will change her life forever. She develops a close relationship with the
family's young siblings, who affectionately call her Flinderella, and together
they form a musical band.

In the mansion, she also meets Federico, the eldest son, who was forced to
abandon his studies and take care of his family, after their parents' death.
Flor and Federico fall deeply in love, but encounter great obstacles when evil
forces within the family try to keep them apart.

Cartoon Network is owned by Warner Brothers....Warner Brothers released Star
Wars: The Clone Wars in theaters, and then aired the weekly show on Cartoon
Network.....Warner Brothers wants the new T.V. series George Lucas is doing on
Star Wars (live action).....George Lucas wants it to be on a cable channel......
Warner Brothers wants to continue its relationship with George Lucas, so they
are airing live action shows on Cartoon Network to get George Lucas' new show,
that will air in 2-3 years.


>>> "disney_keyblade_master" <disney_keyblade_master@...> Saturday, August
08, 2009 11:50 PM >>>
--- In preservethemagic@yahoogroups.com, "Terrence Michael Clay"
<tmc_6882part2@...> wrote:
>
> Which channel has changed for the worst in recent years? I'm not in the mood
right now in spending a whole lot of time giving forth my own personal feelings,
so I just post this link (to better articulate my point of view):
> http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NetworkDecay
>
I feel out of all of them, Cartoon Network is the worst off. Think of it this
way, why is it called cartoon network, when they choose to air live action
reality shows. I can forgive them on Out of Jimmy's Head, it wasn't that bad of
a show, and to their credit, it was somewhat animated, in Roger Rabbit fashion
of course. But airing shows such as Destory Build Destory, and Brain Rush, its
bad. I'll also give them BOD, they arn't really bad shows, but if you call a
channel Cartoon Network, thats all your suppost to play.
Nick and Disney have both had their share too, mostly trying to be hip and
trendy, and sometimes trying to hard (although I feel Nick pulls it off better).

--- In preservethemagic@yahoogroups.com, "Terrence Michael Clay"
<tmc_6882part2@...> wrote:
>
> Which channel has changed for the worst in recent years? I'm not in the mood
right now in spending a whole lot of time giving forth my own personal feelings,
so I just post this link (to better articulate my point of view):
> http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NetworkDecay
>
I feel out of all of them, Cartoon Network is the worst off. Think of it this
way, why is it called cartoon network, when they choose to air live action
reality shows. I can forgive them on Out of Jimmy's Head, it wasn't that bad of
a show, and to their credit, it was somewhat animated, in Roger Rabbit fashion
of course. But airing shows such as Destory Build Destory, and Brain Rush, its
bad. I'll also give them BOD, they arn't really bad shows, but if you call a
channel Cartoon Network, thats all your suppost to play.
Nick and Disney have both had their share too, mostly trying to be hip and
trendy, and sometimes trying to hard (although I feel Nick pulls it off better).

Which channel has changed for the worst in recent years? I'm not in the mood
right now in spending a whole lot of time giving forth my own personal feelings,
so I just post this link (to better articulate my point of view):
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NetworkDecay

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=233576

The only live-action shows they have currently are "tween" comedies.

Yeah, you heard me rant before about this, but the fact that, interestingly
enough, none of the CNReal shows are comedies, and instead, they're all pretty
much different.

If Nick and Disney are channels mainly for kids, why can't they just make some
variety on their live-action shows?

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1931 - The Cat's Out (a Silly Symphony) released
1951 - Alice in Wonderland went on general US release
1987 - Oilspot and Lipstick (an early Disney computer animated short) released
1995 - The 400th Disney Store opened, in Rochester, New York
1998 - The Disney Magic was christened
-------------------------

Were Moving...
The day has come and over the next 24 hours Mickey News will be moving to it?s
new home.  There could be a short interruption in service during this move but
we are trying to make it as smoothly as possible.  The site should be fully
functional by Wednesday evening.  Thank you for your support of Mickey News and
your patience and understanding during this move.
http://
-------------------------

Disney World tests new FastPass distribution at Animal Kingdom: No more running
around the parks
Disney World is reportedly testing a new FastPass distribution system that would
centralize the distribution locations. Currently, guests must go to a specific
ride in order to get a FastPass for that ride. For example, if they want to get
one for the safari ride at Animal Kingdom, which is located at the far end of
the park, they must walk all the way to the ride entrance, using up valuable
park time. Worse yet, in the busiest season they might get to the ride of their
choice, only to discover that all of the FastPasses for that day have already
been distributed.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=7289Fast
-------------------------

Disney World extends free dining promotion until December
Walt Disney World has formally extended a free dining promotion, in a sign that
the resort fears the deep recession will continue to weigh on travel into the
winter.
But the promotion is also slightly smaller than the previous offer, suggesting
Disney does not think it needs to discount as deeply to drive attendance.

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=7289Free
-------------------------

Disney XD Heads to the U.K.
The boy-focused, girl-inclusive channel Disney XD is to launch August 31 in the
U.K., featuring programming such as the original live-action series Aaron Stone.
http://http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=7289Heads
-------------------------

'G-Force' topples 'Harry Potter' at box office
An elite squad of guinea pigs has worked its own brand of magic at the box
office, taking the No. 1 spot from boy wizard Harry Potter.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=7289Force
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1994 - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at MGM
-------------------------

New Web site explores park expansion: DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com
Fans of Disney's California Adventure can explore coming attractions and
exciting plans for the park during its expansion at a new, interactive Web site,
starting July 16.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7229Site
-------------------------

Innovative Entertainment Technology Drives 'World of Color' ? the Next Milestone
in Expansion of Disney's California Adventure
Elaborate preparation is underway for "World of Color," the spectacular
nighttime water show that will astound guests with its magnitude and creativity
when it debuts in spring 2010 as the next major milestone in the expansion of
Disney's California Adventure park. Surpassing all Disney water productions,
"World of Color" will bring Disney animation to life with powerful fountains
that become stars of the show as they create the world's largest projected water
screen.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7229Color
-------------------------

Splash Mountain Celebrates 20 Years of Waterbourne Plunges and
'Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah' Fun
The thrill of plummeting down a water chute, screaming and making a giant splash
are just as exciting today as they were on July 17, 1989, when Splash Mountain
opened in Critter Country at Disneyland park. Guests continue to celebrate the
journey through a magical world in a hollowed-out log, singing along with
characters on classic songs such as "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and enjoying this very
special "laughing place."
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7229Splash
-------------------------

Disney warehouse sale is back
The Disney warehouse sale is back in town.
Asset Management & Sales, a liquidator of Disney-oriented merchandise, has
opened at 389 West 1830 South between Costco and PetSmart, in a sale that runs
through Aug. 16.

The temporary sale of overstock and discontinued Disney merchandise, primarily
from Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., is one of several sales the company
stages throughout the country each year.

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7229Sale
-------------------------

Disney pop princess gets personal on second album
Demi Lovato was distracted.
Her tour bus, parked backstage at the recent Bamboozle Festival at the
Meadowlands, was so close to the main stage that the thunderous guitar riffs of
Billy Talent were literally rocking her ride.

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7229Princess
-------------------------

Couple charged with leaving kids alone at Disney
Authorities say a Michigan couple left their young foster children alone in
their Walt Disney World hotel room for at least two hours while they hung out at
the resort's pool.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7229alone
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1939 - The Pointer starring Mickey Mouse released
1986 - Press conference held aboard the Empress Lilly to announce plans for
WDW's Pleasure Island
2002 - The Country Bears movie premiered
-------------------------

2 Walt Disney World buses crash
12 people injured when 2 Walt Disney World buses crashed at Contemporary Resort.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7219crash
-------------------------

Tyler Perry treats Philly kids to Disney World
Tyler Perry is paying for 65 children from a Philadelphia day camp to go to Walt
Disney World after reading about allegations that a suburban swim club had
shunned them because of racism.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7219Kids
-------------------------

Disney's Wizards-Suite Life-Hannah Merger Works Ratings Magic
Disney Channel's Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana Friday-night crossover
event drew 9.3 million viewers, claiming a variety of ratings records.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7219Magic
-------------------------

Disney Channel crossover is year's best on cable
Disney Channel's crossover special "Wizards on Deck With Hannah Montana" was the
most-watched scripted telecast on cable so far this year.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7219Cable
-------------------------

Union, demonstrators march on Disneyland
About 800 Disney hotel workers, union organizers, outside demonstrators and
members of the Episcopal clergy marched from the Convention Center, shutting
down Harbor Boulevard to the Disneyland entrance Tuesday afternoon ? another
protest rally in the labor dispute between Disney and workers at the three
Disneyland hotels that has simmered at a stalemate for a year-and-a-half.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7219March
-------------------------

Man Charged With Molesting Boy, 13, in Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon
A man has been arrested on a sex-related charge at an Orlando water park, the
fifth such incident in the area in a month.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7219Charged
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1975 - Construction began on Space Mountain at Disneyland
1995 - Disney's Wedding Pavilion opened at WDW
-------------------------

Disneyland unveils Halloween theme for Space Mountain, fireworks show
Disneyland will add a "haunted" overlay to Space Mountain and a fireworks
"spooktacular" for the Halloween season, theme park officials said.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7159Space
-------------------------

Don Ohlmeyer to serve as ESPN ombudsman
Television veteran Don Ohlmeyer will serve as ESPN's next ombudsman.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7159ESPN
-------------------------

Move hires former DirecTV COO
The former chief operating officer of US satellite TV company DirecTV has been
appointed president and CEO of online video company Move Networks.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7159Move
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1934 - The Flying Mouse (a Silly Symphony) released
1965 - The Monkey's Uncle released
1975 - Disney announced plans to build Epcot
2000 - 250,000,000th guest visited Tokyo Disneyland
2004 - Bravisimo! began nightly performances at Tokyo DisneySea
-------------------------

Attorney blasts lack of oversight for rides at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld
In the wake of the deadly monorail accident at Walt Disney World that took the
life of 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, at least one attorney is second guessing
the Florida loophole that allows larger theme parks to opt out of state
inspections.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7149Blasts
-------------------------

Disney Monorail Operator Says He's Sorry for Fatal Crash
The operator of one of the trains involved in a fatal monorail collision at Walt
Disney World has issued a statement expressing his condolences to the victim's
family.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7149Sorry
-------------------------

ABC News' Bob Woodruff returns to Iraq
ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff returned to Iraq on Monday for the first
time since he was nearly killed there by a roadside bomb more than three years
ago.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7149Returns
-------------------------

Man blames tight shorts for exposure at Disney water park
A man who was arrested on accusations that he exposed himself to a 14-year-old
girl Saturday at a Walt Disney World water park blamed the incident on his
European-style bathing suit, according to deputies in a report from FLORIDA
TODAY news partner WKMG Local 6.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7149Expose
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1981 - The Fox and The Hound released
1999 - ESPN Zone opened in Chicago
-------------------------

3 Disney World Workers Placed On Leave
Three Walt Disney World employees have been placed on paid leave as part of the
investigation into a monorail crash which killed a 21-year-old train operator
over the weekend.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7109Leave
-------------------------

Analyst Admits to Being 'Dead Wrong' After Disney's 'Up' Is Big Earner
A mea culpa, of a sort, came Wednesday from the Wall Street analyst who was the
most prominent (but not the lone) prerelease naysayer about "Up," the
Disney-Pixar movie that over the weekend became the studio's second-highest
grossing film ever in North America, after "Finding Nemo."
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7109Wrong
-------------------------

Hong Kong okays $468 million Disneyland expansion
Hong Kong lawmakers approved a government plan on Friday to spend HK$3.63
billion ($468 million) expanding the city's Disneyland theme park with Walt
Disney, boosting the smallest of Disney's five resorts.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7109Expand
-------------------------

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Team Up at
the National Association of Black Journalists C
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are
combining forces at this year's National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
Annual Convention and Career Fair to present an exciting lineup of
entertainment, including a sneak preview of special footage from Walt Disney
Pictures' animated comedy adventure, "The Princess and the Frog," and the debut
of Disney's newest princess, Tiana, voiced by Tony Award(R) winning-actress
Anika Noni Rose.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7109Team
-------------------------

Grab a $57 Disney Deal - While It Lasts
It's not often I can tell you about a deal this good at Disney World. The new
Holiday Inn Hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort, next to the Downtown Disney
Marketplace, is offering a $57-a-night deal for the first lucky families to book
it. The special rate is good from the hotel's opening date of November 15 to
December 21, with no minimum stay required.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7109Deal
-------------------------

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures' Comic-Con Agenda is Full of "Firsts"
Animation greats Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter and directors Robert Zemeckis
and Tim Burton will take part in their first ever Comic-Con at the San Diego
Convention Center July 23-24. The filmmakers will be on hand to help Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures showcase a wide-ranging roster of upcoming films,
including 3D juggernauts ALICE IN WONDERLAND, TRON and DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS
CAROL, and animated gems THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, PONYO
and the TOY STORY trilogy.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_7109Comic
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1994 - Captain EO closed at Epcot
-------------------------

Disney World monorail closed after employee death
Walt Disney World says a monorail at the Florida theme park is out of service
after an employee death.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_769Crash
-------------------------

Disneyland monorail runs as usual after Florida crash
Hours after two monorail trains collided at Walt Disney World in Florida, a
spokeswoman for the Disneyland Resort said Sunday that the monorail system in
Anaheim was working properly.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_769Runs
-------------------------

Disneyland drew Fantasia co-director to dark side
Mitch Davis is a Montreal film-maker, writer, movie fanatic and co-director of
international programming for Fantasia, the continent's foremost showcase for
genre filmmaking. The 13th edition of an event dedicated to the world's best
horror, fantasy, sci-fi, martial arts, edgy comedy, cutting-edge documentary and
transgressive drama begins Thursday and continues until July 29. It seemed like
a good time to trade emails with its charismatic mouthpiece and notorious
nighthawk.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_769Dark
-------------------------

Hong Kong's Disneyland Visits to Jump 60 percent by 2015
Walt Disney Co.'s Hong Kong theme park will draw 60 percent more visitors in
2015 than in its best year so far, government economist Helen Chan told the
city's lawmakers today.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_769Jump
-------------------------

1,000 Immigrants Celebrate U.S. Citizenship in Star-Spangled Event Friday
Morning on Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Re
In a stirring celebration of citizenship, more than 1,000 immigrants gathered on
Main Street, U.S.A. early Friday to be "sworn in" as American citizens
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_769New
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1942 - The Sleepwalker (starring Pluto) released
1957 - Lapland (A People & Places documentary) released
1957 - Alaskan Sled Dog released.
1985 - Tinker Bell "flew" at WDW for the first time
1998 - Innoventions opened at Disneyland in the former Carousel of Progress
building
2001 - Disney's Electrical Parade returned to California, beginning nightly
performances at DCA
-------------------------

Disney unveils faux Obama on the Fourth of July
Call it Faux-bama. Or perhaps Robobama. After a long renovation, the Hall of
Presidents at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom reopens this Saturday, July 4,
and inside is a new guest: an Audio-Animatronic version of President Barack
Obama.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_739Obama
-------------------------

Disney Archives opens its doors: rare public glimpse of Disney treasures
On June 27, 2009, the Walt Disney Company opened the doors of its
normally-off-limits archives to a small, lucky group of people who belong to the
official Disney fan community, which is called D23 (in honor of the year 1923,
when a young and ambitious Walt Disney moved to Hollywood to begin his storied
career.)
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_739Archive
-------------------------

HK Disneyland expansion plans unveiled
The Hong Kong government and the Walt Disney Company have reached an agreement
on the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_739Plans
-------------------------

Disneyland park to Be Part of Shanghai 12th Five-year Plan
It is sure that the US Walt Disney Co. will locate a Disneyland park in
Shanghai, the financial hub in China, and the park is expected to be one of the
most important projects for the city's twelfth Five-year plan in the period from
2010 to 2015, according to top executives of the China Society for Promotion of
Industrial Economic Research and Development.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_749Plan
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1986 - Basil the Great Mouse Detective released to US cinemas. It had already
been released in the UK under the title Basil of Baker Street.
1993 - Alassin's Oasis a dinner theater Aladdin-themed show started in the once
Tahitian Terrace at Disneyland.
1999 - Summer of Sam released
-------------------------

Disney Interactive Studios debuts stereoscopic 3-D gaming on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii
3-D arrives to this generation of home console gaming. Disney Interactive
Studios will be bringing two of its upcoming movie-based games to current
generation game systems in stereoscopic 3-D. G-Force (on Xbox 360 and
PLAYSTATION 3) and Toy Story Mania! (Wii) will feature 3-D effects in their
games with the use of the included anaglyphic 3-D glasses (red and cyan lenses).
There will be 2 sets of the 3-D glasses included in each game package, for use
during two-player games. That's a first for this generation of gaming.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_729Game
-------------------------

'Little Mermaid' to close on Aug. 30
Broadway tuner "The Little Mermaid" will shutter Aug. 30, after a run of less
than two years.
Disney Theatrical Prods., the legit arm of Disney that produces "Mermaid," opted
to shutter the show in order to avoid the box office slowdown that occurs on the
Rialto every September, and also to concentrate on future life for the musical,
which is in the planning stages for a fall 2010 tour.

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_729Close
-------------------------

Most viewers for US soccer on ESPN outside WCup
The United States' 3-2 loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final was seen
by 3.9 million people on ESPN, the most-viewed non-World Cup game for the
American team on the cable network.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_729ESPN
-------------------------

Drea de Matteo joins ABC's 'Desperate Housewives'
Drea (DRAY) de Matteo (duh-muh-TAY'-oh) is moving to Wisteria Lane.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_729Drea
-------------------------

Disney World July 4th Vacation - fireworks spectacular - what a way to celebrate
Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a
choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios
present special pyrotechnics and Epcot adds a patriotic "tag" to its famous
"IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" spectacular. Here's what's in store:
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_729Fireworks
-------------------------

Disney's "Princess" takes throne
Disney Channel delivered the year's most-watched scripted program on cable,
drawing 8.5 million viewers with Friday's premiere of its original movie
"Princess Protection Program."
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_729Princess
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1931 - The Busy Beavers (A Silly Symphony) released
1939 - Sea Scouts (starring Donald Duck) released
1950 - Motor Mania (starring goofy) released
1978 - The Cat From Outer Space released
1996 - Disney's Boardwalk Villas opened at WDW
-------------------------

Hong Kong Disneyland to expand
Disney and the Hong Kong government have agreed a plan to expand the struggling
Hong Kong Disneyland theme park.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6309Expand
-------------------------

Disney Channel's 'Princess' Movie Draws 8.5 Million Viewers
Disney Channel's June 26 premiere of its new original movie Princess Protection
Program drew 8.5 million viewers, the highest performance for a network original
movie in more than a year.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6309Movie
-------------------------

Disneyland Urged to Bring Back Michael Jackson's Captain EO
On various Internet sites, including the "Captain EO @ Disneyland" Facebook
page, Disneyland is being urged to bring back the Captain EO attraction to honor
Michael Jackson.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6309Back
-------------------------

Radio Disney To Host Party
Parents are encouraged to bring their kids out to Party in the Park, a free
party event for kids of all ages.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6309Party
-------------------------

He designed Disneyland's biggest attraction
Bobby Gurr spent most of his time in the early 1950s cruising for an angle.
A skinny Horatio Alger with a flat-top, khakis and black horn-rimmed glasses ?
he floated around Detroit and Los Angeles banking on smarts, guts and luck to
get him ahead. He patterned his look after Jack Webb, the tough cop in the TV
show "Dragnet," wearing his white dress shirts with the sleeves rolled up.

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6309Designed
-------------------------

Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson" works for young and not-so-young
It was at an American amusement park in Tokyo that we couldn't stop talking
about the Swiss.
Disneyland has that effect: Disorienting, in a jolly sort of way. Three of us
were exhausted at the end of a long and happy day trying all the big rides, but
our girls, though deep into teenage life, insisted we climb up the Swiss Family
Robinson treehouse and look around.

http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6309Swiss
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1952 - The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie men released
1959 - Darby O'Gill and the Little People released
1959 - Donald in Mathmagic Land released
1989 - Delta Dreamflight opened at WDW
1998 - Winnie the Pooh and Friends Too began daily performances at Disneyland
Paris
-------------------------

Did Disneyland Try Viral Video Promotion Of Summer Nightastic?
The YouTube video above supposedly captures a young man proposing marriage to
his girlfriend in the middle of Disneyland's Main Street USA. But as MousePlanet
points out, the whole thing reeks of a stunt to promote the new Summer
Nightastic spectacular by hoping the "amateur" video goes viral.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6269Nightastic
-------------------------

Expansion deal reached on Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong has reached a deal with the Walt Disney Co to expand the local Disney
theme park, seen as necessary to bolster the park's long-term prospects against
a Shanghai rival, a newspaper reported on Thursday.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6269Deal
-------------------------

DreamWorks, 3D drive plan for Disney
Disney may be the most bullish Hollywood major when it comes to 3D, and the
Burbank studio put several three-dimensional entries on its film slate
front-and-center Wednesday in a Cinema Expo presentation.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6269Plan
-------------------------

Walt Disney Family Museum to open Oct. 1 in San Francisco
Back in 2007, Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt, told The Times that a new
Walt Disney Family Museum -- dedicated to telling the story of the man, not the
entertainment conglomerate -- was being planned for San Francisco's Presidio, a
former U.S. military facility that has been turned into a national park. The
idea was for the museum to renovate and occupy three historical buildings,
including a former Army barracks.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6269Open
-------------------------

Introducing the 2009 Independence Day Americana Mickey Mouse Disney Fine Art by
Trevor Carlton LE 50
Introducing the 2009 Independence Day Americana Mickey Mouse Disney Fine Art by
Trevor Carlton.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6269Art
-------------------------

Disney Signs Up Three New Summer Sponsors
Travel and tourism category advertisers are using Disney Channel and its sister
properties to reach decision making kids. Marketers including Best Western,
Choice Hotels and film company Kodak have signed up for summer marketing
programs around Disney personalities including the Jonas Brothers and Demi
Lovato.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6269Summer
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1893 - Roy Oliver Disney born
1949 - Bubble Bee (starring Pluto) released
1977 - Herbie goes to Monte Carlo released
1994 - The Lion King released
1998 - A 9 year old girl from New Jersey officially became the 600,000,000th
person to visit WDW's Magic Kingdom
2003 - Air Bud Spikes Back released straight to video
2003 - Air Bud Spikes Back released direct-to-video.
-------------------------

Pixie Hollow Summer Vacation Sweepstakes Details!
Enter for your chance to meet Tinker Bell and see the Disneyland Resort in a
whole new light as SUMMER NIGHTASTIC! generates high-energy excitement, from
June 12 through August 23!
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Pixie
-------------------------

Life is sweet for Disney star Selena Gomez
She's only 16. Yet Selena Gomez sounds more seasoned and pragmatic than some
actresses three times her age.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Life
-------------------------

College of Business, Disney to hold workshops in July
Next month, representatives from the Walt Disney Company will visit UT's College
of Business Administration to reveal the magic behind successful business
practices.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Workshop
-------------------------

Create Your Own Music Vids With Disney.com's U Rock 2
Disney.com announced today the launch of U Rock 2, a unique promotion that gives
fans the opportunity to create their own music videos set to songs from popular
Disney artists and post their original videos on the U Rock site
(www.Disney.com/URock).
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Music
-------------------------

Disney Gets In The Ring With Sky
Executives at British Sky Broadcasting are probably feeling nervous after
hearing about a 90 million-pound $146 million) deal that ESPN network struck
Monday to acquire the U.K. broadcasting rights to 46 Premier League soccer
games.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Sky
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff

Hi Preserve The Magic,
Here is your Mickey News Newsletter...

THIS DAY IN DISNEY HISTORY...
1893 - Roy Oliver Disney born
1949 - Bubble Bee (starring Pluto) released
1977 - Herbie goes to Monte Carlo released
1994 - The Lion King released
1998 - A 9 year old girl from New Jersey officially became the 600,000,000th
person to visit WDW's Magic Kingdom
2003 - Air Bud Spikes Back released straight to video
2003 - Air Bud Spikes Back released direct-to-video.
-------------------------

Pixie Hollow Summer Vacation Sweepstakes Details!
Enter for your chance to meet Tinker Bell and see the Disneyland Resort in a
whole new light as SUMMER NIGHTASTIC! generates high-energy excitement, from
June 12 through August 23!
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Pixie
-------------------------

Life is sweet for Disney star Selena Gomez
She's only 16. Yet Selena Gomez sounds more seasoned and pragmatic than some
actresses three times her age.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Life
-------------------------

College of Business, Disney to hold workshops in July
Next month, representatives from the Walt Disney Company will visit UT's College
of Business Administration to reveal the magic behind successful business
practices.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Workshop
-------------------------

Create Your Own Music Vids With Disney.com's U Rock 2
Disney.com announced today the launch of U Rock 2, a unique promotion that gives
fans the opportunity to create their own music videos set to songs from popular
Disney artists and post their original videos on the U Rock site
(www.Disney.com/URock).
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Music
-------------------------

Disney Gets In The Ring With Sky
Executives at British Sky Broadcasting are probably feeling nervous after
hearing about a 90 million-pound $146 million) deal that ESPN network struck
Monday to acquire the U.K. broadcasting rights to 46 Premier League soccer
games.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=6249Sky
-------------------------

Thanks,
Mickey News Staff