Thanks to Blue Sky Disney for pointing out this photo album of the newest Disney Hotel in the world. It’s the Toyko Disneyland Hotel and it opens on Tuesday. It’s an absolutely beautiful hotel full of the sort of amazing detail that will make your stay all the more magical.

Stateside Disney fans have long been jealous of the money that is lavished on the Disney theme parks and properties owned by the Oriental Land Company. Of late, we’ve also been made jealous by the enormous expenditure on architecture, urban planning, and theme parks in Dubai, a whole crafted city in the United Arab Emirates.

Why is there no such development like this in the Orlando area so we may compete just a bit with overseas competition for tourist dollars? TDL gets that amazing hotel and we get Sarasota Springs. There just is no comparison.

There are plenty of differences between the way Oriental Land Company runs their Disney parks and resorts. Some of them probably wouldn’t fly here in the US. For instance, cast members don’t get free admission to the theme parks. You probably wouldn’t be able to hire or keep any part-timers without those perks.

There are also, admittedly, a difference in the amount of money guests are willing to spend one their Disney vacation. It’s higher by a significant amount in Japan and the demand is nearly as high as ever. But the cost of oil is adding a new element to the tourism equation.

That makes me wonder again about Disney’s USA based parks. Disney fans and Annual Passholders don’t hang me for suggesting this, but perhaps the US based Disney Parks could do better by tremendously elevating the quality of service, resort destinations, and themepark attractions to match and even surpass what OLC has been planning (WDI created the attractions and resorts for OLC, so they have the plans handy). Then raise the prices for resorts and parks to match. Keep raising prices until attendance levels out at a pleasantly crowded level, but not so much you have to wait in super long lines for anything.

Disney World would have to demolish and start again with almost all of the hotels. The Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge (perhaps Wilderness Lodge as well) could be kept, but the rest would have to receive serious upgrades. Don’t want to get rid of the moderate hotels? convert them into DVC. DVC would become even more valuable, but without cheap annual passes, admission costs would affect how often DVC members could attend.

Disneyland could keep the Grand Californian Hotel and they need to replace the other two shortly anyway. I would expand Downtown Disney into where the Disneyland Hotel is now and build a brand new Disneyland Hotel of the quality seen in Tokyo Disneyland on the other side of the Esplanade between Disneyland and California Adventure with private entrances to both parks. Paradise Pier hotel could be recreated in the Lion King parking lot with it’s own beach and water feature and a seaside look and feel.

If Disney wanted to throw a bone the locals, they could keep California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the ‘locals’ parks with lower costs annual passes available to residents in nearby zip codes. But trips to the Magic Kingdoms, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom would become special with DAK having more and more elements of a boutique park where guests could pay more for animal and adventure experiences.

Here’s what I think caps this idea as the best plan for Disney. The price of oil will eventually, sooner rather than later most likely, surpass the $160 a barrel mark where supposedly Disney’s own studies show it makes sense to sell the parks (I’m not sure I follow or agree with that logic). If a company like OLC, perhaps even OLC, buys the parks & resort operations, they will very likely follow a plan just as I’ve outlined above.

Disney’s plan up to now appears to be to build a Disney property (either a theme park or location based resort (think Hawaii hotel) near every major population density in the world. If they continue that path, look for a new Disney theme park in Dubai. But there are other ways to compete in the world market other than spreading yourself thin.

OLC realizes that in order to compete in the new world market of tourism, where you can attract those who can afford to travel, you have to really dazzle them with Disney magic. Will Disney get that today? Disney could use this downturn in visitor volume to retool the parks and resorts and come out the other side with a product that is competitive on what is now a world market for tourism travel. Dubai is following the “if you build it they will come” model; Disney has used it in the past during economic slow times, but will they do so again with the new regime in charge?

Originally posted on The Disney Blog.

Best. Disney. Hotel. Ever.

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As we’ve covered before Disney has announced a change in plans for Pleasure Island. Goodbye to night clubs, hello to retail and dining. In the 19 years since Pleasure Island opened, a lot has changed in the habits of tourists and locals in terms of night time entertainment. Disney has done quite a bit of tweaking recently on the PI concept and apparently was unable to come up with a workable solution.

Never-the-less, there is a growing movement to save the Adventurer’s Club. It is the only attraction at Downtown Disney that was created solely by Disney Imagineers (Joe Rhode (of Disney’s Animal Kingdom fame, had a hand in it), it has a huge following, and some of the most unique 360 degree immersive theming found in a Disney attraction.

The bad news is, except for the original “Save Mr. Lincoln” letter writing campaign, I can’t think of a single Disney fan movement to save an attraction that has worked. (Okay, the mid-90s effort to keep Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through open may qualify.) I think Disney is happy to see fans get all riled up as it shows a passion in their fan base, it also means free publicity for them. But these days Disney makes decisions based more on business needs than the needs of providing a quality show.

The good news, this time may be different. When Disney announced it would be closing the Adventurer’s Club this fall, along with the other Pleasure Island clubs, there was quick reaction to the news with a lot of chatter on Disney fan sites, a Facebook group, and a petition with more than 3000 signatures in just a few days. There’s also the possibility that Disney just plans on moving

That’s a good start, but not yet the huge outcry of the type that might make Disney re-focus its ideas to rip out the attraction. To make a real difference, a letter writing campaign to Disney corporate and Themepark executives will need to be launched.

Here’s an open letter to Disney executives that was sent to me by Brian Spencer.

I have long been a fan of all things Disney. From movies to TV shows and music, Disney has long held a special place in my life. The heart of my fondness, however, resides at the Disney Parks and Resorts. The trips taken as a child with my parents, and now as an adult with my wife, have created fond memories and happy experiences that will last throughout our lifetimes.

Our most recent trip to Walt Disney World was for our honeymoon in January of 2007. It was an exciting trip, as it was the first of our married lives and it was the first time we planned and traveled alone as adults. Prior to that trip, I had learned about something at Walt Disney World that we had never experienced on any previous visits: The Adventurer’s Club on Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney. I was surprised that I had never heard of nor seen advertising for it, especially considering how many glowing reviews of the club I read online.

People said that it “wasn’t to be missed”. We decided to spend a night at the Adventurer’s Club based upon all of the positive comments we read. Not only were they right, but we were completely blown away by the experience we had there. I won’t go into minute details, but we found the Adventurer’s Club to be an experience that was not just humorous and interactive, but highly immersive as well.

The cast was top notch from the performers to the wait-staff and when combined with the detailed and highly-imaginative atmosphere, they made for a night that was truly magical. The experience was uniquely Disney; unlike anything we had seen anywhere, even within the realm of Disney itself. As our evening drew to a close, we vowed to return on subsequent trips, and talked of how much the rest of our family would also enjoy the club.

This past Friday I came across the press release announcing the closure of the Pleasure Island complex (and in turn, the Adventurer’s Club). The news stirred emotions from anger to disappointment and sadness; negative feelings I never associate with my Disney experiences. Almost immediately after reading the press release, the Disney communities online lit up with discussion surrounding the closure. I found, as you’d expect, that I was not the only one upset with the announced closure of the Adventurer’s Club. Reactions ranged from a few of humbled acceptance to several people canceling their planned Walt Disney World vacations. While I believe canceling a trip over this news may be a bit irrational, it testifies to the broad-reaching popularity of the Adventurer’s Club.

I do not consider myself against progress, nor do I believe that Walt Disney World is a museum. Progress has long been a characteristic of the Disney Company. Old, outdated park attractions have been replaced or updated incorporating the latest technology to provide guests with highly-immersive, magical and memorable experiences. In an interview with the press on Saturday June 28th, Kevin Lansberry, Vice-President of Downtown Disney stated:

“At this point, the Adventurer’s Club is closing. If it comes back in another form, I haven’t heard about that.”

He then went on to comment about a couple of the new additions planned for the island. It is startling to think that Disney is closing a very popular, one-of-a-kind, immersive and magical experience so that a Hanes ‘design your own t-shirt’ and other dime-a-dozen shops can take up residence in its place. I do not believe that this could even be remotely considered progress.

Mr. Lansberry also commented: “We’re making the changes that we’re making to Pleasure Island because our guests are asking us for more shopping and dining opportunities and other types of entertainment.”

I know that the majority of Walt Disney World’s market consists of families traveling with children and I can understand their aversion to high-energy dancing/night clubs and the atmosphere they can create. Part of me wonders if this was exacerbated when access to Pleasure Island moved from the “turnstile” method or entry to the “club-by-club” method and families might have mistakenly wandered into Pleasure Island. I do sympathize with their viewpoint of Pleasure Island being somewhat of a roadblock in getting from one end of Downtown Disney to the other and I can understand why they would want Pleasure Island to be changed. I believe, however, that closing the Adventurer’s Club is tantamount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. While former guests of the dance clubs will merely drive to other areas of Orlando to enjoy an experience like what they had at Pleasure Island, the rest of us will be unable to partake in anything similar to the Adventurer’s Club, neither on nor off Disney property. As I’ve expressed throughout this letter: the Adventurer’s Club has no equal.

As a guest myself (and I believe I can speak on behalf of the 2185+ Adventurer’s Club fans that have expressed similar feelings in a petition on PetitionOnline.com) I ask you: Please spare the Adventurer’s Club. THIS is what WE as your guests want. We do not want our much-loved Adventurer’s Club to be replaced with under-imaginative shopping and/or dining experiences. It deserves better than that. The Adventurer’s Club is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that has created unique magic for thousands upon thousands of guests throughout its history. Despite what the Disney Vacation Club advertisements say, the Adventurer’s Club is truly Disney’s best kept secret.

I would be more than happy to further discuss my comments and feelings with you. Please feel free to contact me via the information below.

Sincerely,
Brian Spencer

Great letter, but I urge you to be shorter and more concise in your letters. I worked with Brian to come up with something that was short and used a lot of bullet points to get his point across quickly. That’s what he’ll be sending into Disney management.

* * * * *

I would very much like to see the Adventurer’s Club endure. I want Disney to save the unique brand of Disney magic you find there. The AC pushed Disney to the limits of its PG-13 sensibilities with slightly raunchy dialog, enough innuendo to fill up Fantasyland, and terrific improvisational humor that you rarely see on Disney property these days. Beyond the AC level of humor, Disney shifts into the Miramax brand.

Yet, of all the clubs that are closing at Pleasure Island the Adventurer’s Club is the most family friendly and the closest aligned with the Disney brand. You could plop the AC down at any Disney theme park or resort hotel and it would fit in just fine (although no alcohol would be available inside Disneyland). The other PI clubs would stand out like a sore thumb.

In fact, the AC finds its roots in one of Walt Disney’s best un-implemented ideas, a dinner theater combined with an audio-animatronic show. A never constructed Chinese restaurant at Disneyland and the The Tiki Room, which was originally planned as a dinner show with audio-animatronic birds as the entertainment, are the ancestors of the Adventurer’s Club.

19 years is a long run for a nightly play, especially one that is big on audience interaction and audio-animatronics (well puppetry, but still), but it’s still a popular play and one closely tied to the Disney brand. If you think of it more as an attraction than a club, it could easily live on for another 20-30 years with just a few updates every now and then, just like it’s theme park inspirations.

When they do get to work on replacing Pleasure Island, I’m hoping they create something uniquely Disney and not just import shopping and dining experiences the average guest can find elsewhere. A Balloon ride and a t-shirt shop is not exactly blowing me away with new concepts.

On the other hand, I’m not totally against outside dining when it’s done right. Look at the Downtown Disney experience over at the Disneyland Resort in California. They asked established outside companies to create unique experiences for guests. The result was magic.

Disney has to maintain that special brand of magic or it risks losing repeat business to other family entertainment venues that are located closer to where those customers live. That’s a very real danger as fuel prices rise faster than one of Disney’s famous fireworks. Apparently, more family friendly options is Disney’s solution.

I am left wondering why if Disney wants to give families more to do on property at night, why do they not just extend theme park hours and improve the dining and entertainment offerings there? That’s what the majority of guests want — more time to enjoy the unique brand of Disney theme park entertainment. To get rid of Downtown Disney’s only example of that, is just wrong.

Finally, I’m currently scheduled to be interviewed on NPR’s Bryant Park Project tomorrow morning. If you don’t get the show live in your area, you should be able to find it online later.

In the meantime, here are some addresses to send your letter to:

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Mr. Robert Iger
Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Mr. James A. Rasulo
Chairman
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Meg Crofton
President
The Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Al Weiss
President
Worldwide Operations
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Originally posted on The Disney Blog.

Pleasure Island and Adventurer’s Club, some additional thoughts.

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This just in from Walt Disney World. They’ve sent along more details of their bold new vision for making Downtown Disney even more family friendly and removing all of the more adult-targeted entertainment.

Some thing to note, it looks like the ‘Pleasure Island’ name may stick around, although I imagine the final decision has yet to be made on that.

Finally, they explicitly don’t mention “The Adventurer’s Club” in the press release. That tells me they’re waiting to see if there is sufficient desire from the public to save the unique themed experience. So get the letter writing campaigns and websites launched if you want to save it for future generations.

Of course there is always the rumor that “The Adventurer’s Club” will be moved and used as part of the new boutique park “Night Kingdom”, or whatever they’re calling these days.

Update: well this FAQ on the Pleasure Island official page says that Adventurer’s Club will be closing. It also says that in lieu of admission to Pleasure Island they’ll be substituting a round of golf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course… hmmm.

Additional details below the cut:

Previously: Pleasure Island to Close its Night Clubs.

Walt Disney World Resort today unveiled a new vision for Downtown Disney, with extraordinary new shopping, dining and other experiences including a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Also planned are numerous enhancements to popular Downtown Disney locations, as well as additional theming and storytelling brought to life by Walt Disney Imagineers.

“We are committed to offering guests new and exciting experiences they can only have at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Downtown Disney Vice President Kevin Lansberry. “Our bold new vision for Downtown Disney reflects the feedback we receive from our guests each and every day and will enable us to continue to offer the high-quality entertainment that is our hallmark.”

Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for guests. Downtown Disney will even get its own iconic attraction, in the form of a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other new experiences include:

  • In fall 2008, guests will enter a world of prehistoric creatures at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. The dinosaur-themed family eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more, and will feature life-size animated dinosaurs that dwell among bubbling geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.
  • Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise guests can personalize at Downtown Disney.
  • E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring 2009. The high-energy, casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along the waterfront.

Guests also will enjoy a brand new mix of shopping and dining experiences at Pleasure Island as it is transformed over the next two years.

“Our guests tell us they want additional shopping and dining experiences at Downtown Disney,” added Lansberry. “We are currently considering a number of unique concepts from around the globe as we re-imagine Pleasure Island and look forward to sharing our progress over the coming months.”

To make way for the new offerings, all of the clubs currently on Pleasure Island will close on Sept. 27. Other locations on Pleasure Island, including Raglan Road, Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Curl by Sammy Duval, Orlando Harley-Davidson and outdoor food and beverage locations, will remain open during the transition.

To complement these new experiences, many popular Downtown Disney locations will undergo enhancements.

  • Beginning this summer, Portobello Yacht Club will be transformed into a Tuscan Country Trattoria. The refreshed menu features authentic Italian dishes and signature favorites and a re-designed interior along with an outdoor dining space.
  • This fall, Goofy’s Candy Company will add a special new room that will enable families to host one-of-a-kind birthday parties at Downtown Disney.
  • The Marketplace Stage will be completely replaced with a larger, covered stage this fall to welcome even more entertainment to Downtown Disney and serve as a new premier venue for Disney Magic Music Days.
  • Fulton’s Crab House will update its interior fixtures and furnishing and exterior in Spring 2009. The enhancements include a refreshed third floor deck dining area to offer additional Disney guests and larger private parties the traditional Fulton’s experience.
  • Next year, Wolfgang Puck Café will update its interior fixtures and furnishings and will feature an enclosed glass patio offering guests a year-round outdoor dining experience.

These efforts come on the heels of recent enhancements at World of Disney, Wolfgang Puck Express, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Earl of Sandwich and Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant.

Originally posted on The Disney Blog.

More Details on Changes coming to Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney

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Google does more than search, it provides free email, spreadsheets, word processors, photo storage, calendar and more. Even better each of those tools is extendable and customizable. LaughingPlace.com has just made available three Google Calendars for Disney fans wanting to keep tracking of upcoming Disney events. Just import one, two, or all three and add some Disney magic to your day.

The first covers all Disney, one Disneyland events only, and one Walt Disney World events. These Google Calendars are fully integrated with LaughingPlace.com’s Upcoming Events so they will always have the latest dates, details, and links.

I’m very happy that the fine folks at LaughingPlace.com have launched this new service. They have always been leaders in providing timely information and indepth coverage of all variety of Disney news. Can’t wait to see what they come up with next. (Read)

Originally posted on The Disney Blog.

Google Calendars for Disney fans from LaughingPlace.com

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Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom players continue to struggle to stop The Walt Disney Company from evicting them from their online homes. They’ve started to get a bit more press and now they’re organizing for a street protest on Saturday May 10th.

VMK Kids Unite plans to gather outside the gates of Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom in Anaheim, CA in hopes this will convince the powers that be at Disney not to shut down VMK. I wish them luck

The full press release is below the cut:

For Release 3 p.m. DST May 2, 2008

Disney, “Year of a Million BROKEN Dreams”
Over a million guests to Disney Magic Kingdom are told the online park is closing, forever.
Burbank, California – May 2, 2008 – In an unprecedented action, Disney officials are closing the gates to one of their family parks, forever. Last month, over a million registered visitors were given formal notice that the online Magic Kingdom (VMK) will close forever on May 21, 2008, 10:00PM DST. Guests are being told the experience was only to promote, the now three year old, Disney’s 50th Anniversary Celebration despite Disney’s continued advertising partnerships with Kellogg’s, Disney Pin Trader, eBay and up through last month, Disney Movie Rewards. Kids & parents throughout United States and around the World are done asking, “Why?” and are now taking financial actions and protesting Disney.
On May 10, 2008, VMK Kids Unite (www.vmkkidsunite.com) will be out in front of Disneyland in Anaheim, California to protest the recent decision to close the online park and publicly ask Disney why they are breaking the dreams of over a million kids throughout the World. The organization is calling upon Disney to remain true to their promise and not make this the “Year of a Million BROKEN Dreams” as these kids will permanently lose hundreds of friendships, forever.
Various sites and discussions, including the Save VMK, an online petitioning organization with over 16,000 signatures, are now calling for a boycott of all Disney related products and services. This new guest initiated movement to boycott Disney has yet to change the minds of top Disney Officials. Walt Disney Internet Group spokesman for and producer of VMK, Seth Mendelsohn (yavn) said recently, “We hear you and we share your concern and sorrow”; however, offered no revision of their decision to close the online park.
“Disney has yet to show any compassion for the kids whose dreams are being broken by their discussion to close the park.” said Christopher Douglas spokesman for VMK Kids Unite, “It is time to publicly ask Disney; what happened to the Year of a Million Dreams?”. Obtaining the final clearance from the City of Anaheim Planning Department their protest is moving forward on May 10, 2008, 7 to 11AM, currently with over 30 pre-registered participants, around the main thoroughfares to Disneyland at the intersections of West Ball Road & South Disneyland Drive and the second location at South Harbor Boulevard & Disney Way in the City of Anaheim.
“At first, I just saw this (VMK) as a game that people use to entertain themselves; however, when you hear of Madison Reed, an 11-year-old spinal muscular atrophy sufferer, who for the first time could virtual walk in the happiest place on Earth and not be judged by her inabilities you realize the dreams of kids throughout the World will be broken, forever”, says Jamie Knoll who was originally supportive of the closure.
VMK Kids Unite is an organization formed to unite guests who are being displaced by the recent decision to close the online Magic Kingdom, a game that goes beyond the typical multiplayer game. It allows safe, interactive social networking for kids of all ages, known as, “The Happiest Place on the Internet”. With support of various organizations VMK Kids Unite is bringing together the community for an opportunity to ask Disney if they really intend to directly destroy the dreams of over a million kids throughout the World.
#########
For more information, press only:
Christopher Douglas, (818) 574-5865, cdouglas@vmkkidsunite.com
For more information on VMK Kids Unite:
http://www.vmkkidsunite.com/

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The Walt Disney Company

May 5, 2008    Category: Uncategorized   No Comments »

History

Founding and early success (1922–1966)

  • 1923: Walt signed a contract with M.J. Winkler to produce a series of Alice Comedies - October 16 - the date used as the start of the Disney company. Originally know as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, with brothers Walt and Roy Disney, as equal partners.
  • 1924: First Alice comedy, “Alice’s Day at Sea”, released.
  • 1926: At Roy’s suggestion, the company changed its name to the Walt Disney Studio shortly after moving into the new studio on Hyperion Avenue in the Silver Lake district.
  • 1927: The Alice series ends; first Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon.
  • 1928: Walt loses the Oswald series contract; first Mickey Mouse cartoon, “Steamboat Willie”, released at the Colony Theatre in New York, the first cartoon with sound on November 18.
  • 1929: First Silly Symphony, “The Skeleton Dance”. On December 16, the original partnership formed in 1923 is replaced by Walt Disney Productions, Ltd. Three other companies, Walt Disney Enterprises, Disney Film Recording Company, and Liled Realty and Investment Company, are also formed.
  • 1930: First appearance of Pluto.
  • 1932: First three-strip Technicolor short released: “Flowers and Trees”; first appearance of Goofy.
  • 1934: First appearance of Donald Duck.
  • 1937: Studio produces its first full-length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
  • 1938: On September 29, Walt Disney Enterprises, Disney Film Recording Company, and Liled Realty and Investment Company are merged into Walt Disney Productions.
  • 1940: Studio moves to the Burbank, California buildings where it is located to this day. Release of animated features Pinocchio and Fantasia
  • 1941: A bitter animators’ strike occurs; as the USA enters World War II, the studio begins making morale-boosting propaganda films for the government. Dumbo is released.
  • 1942: Saludos Amigos marks the beginning of a series of low-budget “package” animated films that would continue until 1950. Bambi is also released, after a six-year production period.
  • 1943: Saludos Amigos is released in the United States.
  • 1944: The company is short on money; a theatrical re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs generates much-needed revenue and begins a reissue pattern for the animated feature films.
  • 1945: For the first time, the studio hires live actors for a feature film (Song of the South).
  • 1947: Sign First Independent Studio, The byrnest studio in Orlando which went bankrupt three years later.
  • 1949: The studio begins production on its first all-live action feature, Treasure Island; the popular True-Life Adventures series begins. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is released.
  • 1950: Cinderella is released, ending the series of “package” animated films and reviving Disney feature animation.
  • 1951: Alice in Wonderland is released.
  • 1952: Walt Disney forms WED Enterprises on December 16 to design his theme park.
  • 1953: Walt Disney forms Retlaw Enterprises on April 6 to control the rights to his name. It will later own and operate several attractions inside Disneyland, including the Monorail and the Disneyland Railroad. Peter Pan is released. The studio founds Buena Vista Distribution to distribute its feature films.
  • 1954: Beginning of the Disneyland TV program, which runs for decades under several different titles. Disney becomes one of the first American theatrical TV producers to show his recent films on television, although most of them are first shown in truncated versions to fit a one-hour time slot. Others are divided into two or more one-hour segments over several weeks, so that they can be shown on Disney’s TV show.
  • 1955: Disneyland Resort opens in Anaheim, California. Lady and the Tramp, the first widescreen animated film, is released.
  • 1957: Walt Disney Productions went public on November 12.
  • 1959: Sleeping Beauty is released.
  • 1961: One Hundred and One Dalmatians is released, the first feature-length animated film to use Xerography.
  • 1963: The Sword in the Stone is released.
  • 1964: Mary Poppins is released.
  • 1966: Walt Disney dies of lung cancer.

After Walt’s death (1967-1983)

  • 1967: Construction begins on Walt Disney World Resort; the underlying governmental structure (see Reedy Creek Improvement District) is signed into law. The Jungle Book, the last animated film involved with Walt Disney himself, is released.
  • 1968 The name Walt Disney Productions changed to Walt Disney Enterprises.
  • 1970: The Aristocats is released.
  • 1971: The Walt Disney World Resort opens in Orlando, Florida; Roy Oliver Disney dies; Donn Tatum becomes chairman and Card Walker becomes president.
  • 1971: The film Bedknobs and Broomsticks is released.
  • 1973: Robin Hood is released.
  • 1976: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea becomes the first movie made by the studio to be shown on TV complete in one evening, as opposed to the way the Disney films were divided into weekly segments on his television show.
  • 1977: Roy Edward Disney, son of Roy and nephew of Walt, resigns from the company citing a decline in overall product quality and issues with management. The Rescuers is released.
  • 1978: The studio licenses several minor titles to MCA Discovision for laserdisc release; only TV compilations of cartoons ever see the light of day through this deal.
  • 1979: Don Bluth and a number of his allies leave the animation division; the studio releases its first PG-rated films, Take Down and The Black Hole.
  • 1980: Tom Wilhite becomes head of the film division with the intent of modernizing studio product; a home video division is created. Disney releases its first ever co-production with another major studio: Popeye, a co-production with Paramount Pictures (distributors of the 1933-1957 Popeye cartoon series, which is now owned by Time Warner); Paramount handles domestic distribution, while Disney/Buena Vista released the film overseas (this same arrangement would be utilized on the two studios’ next co-production, 1981’s Dragonslayer).
  • 1981: Plans for a cable network are announced. Dumbo is Disney’s first video release. The Fox and the Hound is released.
  • 1982: EPCOT Center opens at Walt Disney World Resort; Walt Disney’s son-in-law Ron W. Miller succeeds Card Walker as CEO. Tron, the first live action film to be combinded with computer animation, was released in July 9th.
  • 1983: As the anthology series is canceled, Disney Channel begins operation on US cable systems. Tom Wilhite resigns his post as head of the film division. Tokyo Disneyland opens in Japan.

Eisner era (1984–2005)

  • 1984: Touchstone Films is created after the studio narrowly escapes a buyout attempt by Saul Steinberg, and releases its first film Splash. Roy Edward Disney and his business partner, Stanley Gold, remove Ron W. Miller as CEO and president, replacing him with Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. The Walt Disney Classics video collection starts up.
  • 1985: The studio begins making cartoons for television beginning with Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears and The Wuzzles. The Black Cauldron, the studio’s first PG-rated animated film, is a box-office failure, along with Return To Oz. The home video release of Pinocchio becomes a best-seller.
  • 1986: The company’s name is changed on February 6 from Walt Disney Productions to The Walt Disney Company. Disney’s first R-rated film, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, is released under the Touchstone banner. The Great Mouse Detective was released.
  • 1987: First Disney Store opens in Glendale, California.
  • 1987: The company and the French government sign an agreement for the creation of the first Disney Resort in Europe: the Euro Disney project starts. The company opens up a Hall of Fame with Fred MacMurray as the first induction. The Brave Little Toaster is released.
  • 1988: Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a co-production of Disney’s Touchstone Pictures and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is released on June 22. Oliver and Company is released on November 18.
  • 1989: Disney offers a deal to buy Jim Henson’s Muppets and have the famed puppeteer work with Disney resources; Disney-MGM Studios opens at Walt Disney World; The Little Mermaid sparks a Disney animation renaissance.
  • 1990: Jim Henson’s death sours the deal to buy his holdings; the anthology series is canceled for the second time. The Rescuers Down Under is released.
  • 1991: Beauty and the Beast is released, becoming the only animated film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
  • 1992: The controversial Euro Disney Resort opens outside Paris. Aladdin (film) is released.
  • 1992: The Disney Company is granted permission for a National Hockey League expansion franchise. The team is named the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to coincide with the release of The Mighty Ducks.
  • 1992: Disney releases the live action musical Newsies, staring Christian Bale and Robert Duvall.
  • 1993: Disney acquires independent film distributor Miramax Films; Winnie the Pooh merchandise outsells Mickey Mouse merchandise for the first time; the policy of periodic theatrical re-issues ends with this year’s re-issue of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but is augmented for video.
  • 1994: Frank Wells is killed in a helicopter crash. Jeffrey Katzenberg resigns to co-found his own studio, DreamWorks SKG. Plans for Disney’s America, a historical theme park in Haymarket, Virginia, are abruptly dropped. Euro Disneyland is renamed Disneyland Paris. The Classics video line is unofficially canceled and replaced with the Masterpiece Collection. The Lion King becomes the highest-grossing traditionally animated film in history.
  • 1995: In October, the company hires Hollywood super agent Michael Ovitz to be president. Disney purchases DiC Entertainment, and owned rights to shows, including Inspector Gadget (which eventually would be made into a live-action film in 1999) and dubbing of the first two seasons of Sailor Moon. The first computer-animated feature film, Toy Story, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, is released by Disney, and becomes the year’s top-grossing film. Pocahontas is also released.
  • 1996: The company takes on the Disney Enterprises name and acquires the Capital Cities/ABC group, renaming it ABC, Inc. To celebrate the pairing, ABC’s first Super Soap Weekend is held at Walt Disney World. Disney makes deal with Tokuma Shoten for dubbing and releasing of Studio Ghibli films in the U.S. In December, Michael Ovitz, president of the company, leaves “by mutual consent”. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film) is released.
  • 1997: The anthology series is revived again; the home video division releases its first DVDs. The Southern Baptist Convention votes to boycott The Walt Disney Company over opposition to the latter offering equal health and other benefits to gays and lesbians, as well as Disney allowing outside organizers to have “Gay and Lesbian Days” at Walt Disney World. Disney ignored the boycott, which failed and was withdrawn by the SBC on June 22, 2005. Hercules is released.
  • 1998: Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens at Walt Disney World. Kiki’s Delivery Service, the first Studio Ghibli film under the Disney/Ghibli deal, is released on video. Disney Cruise Line sets sail with its first ship, the Disney Magic. Mulan is released. A Bug’s Life is released as the second produced by Pixar Animation Studios.
  • 1999: Tarzan is released
  • 2000: Fantasia 2000 is released to IMAX Theaters.
  • 2000: Robert Iger becomes president. Disney-owned TV channels are pulled from Time Warner Cable briefly during a dispute over carriage fees. Disney begins its Gold Classic Collection DVD line.
  • 2001: Disney’s California Adventure and Tokyo DisneySea open to the public. Disney buys Fox Family for $3 billion in July, giving Disney programming and cable network reaching 81 million homes. Disney changes Fox Family to ABC Family. Fort Worth billionaire Sid Bass is forced to sell his Disney holdings due to a margin call caused partially by the stock market fall that followed the 9/11 attacks. The fact that Bass had bought his shares on margin was a shock when it was revealed. Losing Bass was a blow to Eisner; Bass was one of his major backers and had recruited Eisner to Disney. Disney begins its Platinum Edition DVD line with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as the Walt Disney Treasures DVD box set line for the collector’s market.
  • 2002: Walt Disney Studios open near Disneyland Paris (renamed Disneyland Park). The entire area is now called Disneyland Resort Paris. Disney finishes negotiations to acquire Saban Entertainment, owner of children’s entertainment juggernaut Power Rangers. Subsidiary Miramax acquires the USA rights to the Pokémon movies starting with the fourth movie. Disney releases the Academy Award-nominated animated film Lilo & Stitch. Disney teams up with famous video game company Squaresoft (later known as Square-Enix) to release their first ever role-playing game with various Disney characters, Kingdom Hearts. Disney releases Spirited Away in the U.S., which goes on to be the first anime film to win an Oscar for Best Animated Film. Disney begins joint venture business with Sanrio for Sanrio’s greeting cards. Treasure Planet is released in theaters.
  • 2003: Roy E. Disney resigns as the chairman of Feature Animation and from the board of directors, citing similar reasons to those that drove him off 26 years earlier; fellow director Stanley Gold resigns with him; they establish “SaveDisney” to apply public pressure to oust Michael Eisner. Brother Bear and Pixar’s computer animated film Finding Nemo are released by Disney, the latter becoming the highest-grossing animated film in history until 2004’s DreamWorks film Shrek 2. Live-action film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is released, becoming the first film released under the Disney label with a PG-13 rating. Pixar ends distribution agreement with Disney. Animated films
  • 2004: Comcast makes an unsuccessful hostile bid for the company. CEO Michael Eisner is replaced by George J. Mitchell as chairman of the board after a 43% vote of no confidence. Disney turns down distributing controversial documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11, which ends up making $100 million. On February 17, Disney buys the Muppets (excluding the Sesame Street characters). Disney creates Jetix the children’s block that mainly consists of Fox Kids shows and original programming on ABC Family and Toon Disney.Home on the Range and The Incredibles are released.
  • 2004:Disney Store chain licensed to The Children’s Place.
  • 2005: Jetix is distributed worldwide in Europe and Latin America in channels of their own rights. Disney agrees to sell the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to Henry Samueli of Broadcom for reported $75 million dollars. On July 8, Roy E. Disney rejoins the company as a consultant with the title of Director Emeritus. Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary on July 17. Hong Kong Disneyland officially opens on September 12.

Iger era (2005–Present)

  • 2005: Bob Iger replaces Michael Eisner as CEO on October 1.
  • 2006: High School Musical and Hannah Montana premiere. Pixar is purchased. Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest are released. Rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit are re-obtained from NBC Universal.
  • 2007: Partners with Club Penguin. High School Musical 2 premieres. Enchanted is released.
  • 2008:Disney Store chain reaquired from The Children’s Place.

Senior Executive Management

  • Robert Iger (President and CEO)
  • Roy E. Disney (Consultant and Director)
  • Thomas O. Staggs (Senior Executive Vice President and CFO)
  • Alan N. Braverman (Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel)
  • John Lasseter (Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios)
  • Zenia Mucha (Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications)

Current board of directors

  • Susan Arnold
  • John Bryson
  • John S. Chen
  • Judith Estrin
  • Robert Iger (CEO)
  • Steve Jobs
  • Fred Langhammer
  • Aylwin Lewis
  • Mónica Lozano
  • Robert Matschullat
  • John E. Pepper, Jr. (Chairman)
  • Orin C. Smith
  • Roy E. Disney (non-Voting Director Emeritus)

Current division heads

  • Walt Disney International - Andy Bird
  • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts - Jay Rasulo
    • Walt Disney Imagineering - Bruce Vaughn
      • Walt Disney Creative Entertainment - Anne Hamburger
  • Walt Disney Studios - Dick Cook (Studio Chairman)
    • Walt Disney Animation Studios - Ed Catmull
    • Pixar Animation Studios - Ed Catmull
    • Disney Music Group - Bob Cavallo
    • Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group - Oren Aviv
    • Walt Disney Theatrical - Thomas Schumacher
  • Disney Consumer Products - Andy Mooney
  • Disney Media Networks
    • Disney-ABC Television Group - Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Media Networks
    • ESPN - George Bodenheimer, co-chair of Media Networks

Chairmen of the Board

  • 1945-1960: Walt Disney
  • 1945-1971: Roy O. Disney (Co-Chair 1945-1960)
  • 1971-1980: Donn Tatum
  • 1980-1983: Card Walker
  • 1983-1984: Raymond Watson
  • 1984-2004: Michael Eisner
  • 2004-2006: George J. Mitchell
  • 2007-present: John E. Pepper, Jr.

Vice Chairman of the Board

  • 1984-2003: Roy E. Disney
  • 1999-2000: Sanford Litvack (Co-Vice Chair)

CEOs

  • 1968-1971: Roy O. Disney
  • 1971-1976: Donn Tatum
  • 1976-1983: Card Walker
  • 1983-1984: Ron W. Miller
  • 1984-2005: Michael Eisner
  • 2005-present: Robert Iger

COOs

The formal position of Chief Operating Officer was not created until Wells and Eisner came in with Eisner taking the titles of Chairman and CEO and Wells, President and COO.

  • 1984-1994: Frank Wells
  • 1995-1998: Michael Ovitz
  • 1999-2000: Sanford Litvack (acting COO)
  • 2000-present: Robert Iger

Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_Company

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The Disney Store - Forum ShopsThe failed experiment that was The Children’s Place attempt to run The Disney Stores is now officially over. Disney takes back operations today after The Children’s Place had to file for bankruptcy in the subsidiaries that ran The Disney Stores.

In 2000, there were 741 Disney Stores worldwide with 515 of those being in North America. When The Children’s Place took over the North America stores in 2004 there were 315 in the US and Canada. Now Disney will still be closing 98 of the remaining 220 US and Canada stores as part of the re-organization. So that’s leaving a very slim 115 or so US and Canada stores upon which to rebuild the brand.

When Disney first decided to “sell” (they actually licensed the store concept and brand) The Disney Stores, there was a general feeling among fans and analysts that Disney had forgotten how to run a retail store chain. That was certainly true, but in hind-sight weakening economic trends may have played a larger role than initially thought. I have faith that Disney Consumer Products has it in them to build back the brand into a something like what it was like a the peak of its performance, if not better.

James D. Fielding, who was executive vice president for global retail sales and marketing at Disney Consumer Products, now takes over the role of President for The Disney Stores Worldwide. He will oversee the North American and Europe stores and work with the Japan based stores that are owned by OLC.

It’s my hope that Fielding will bring back some direction and some “Disney Magic” to The Disney Stores. Return to what worked. Highly themed stores are a must since that sets the stores apart from others in the mall. A decent collectibles area (with store exclusives), some nice watches, plenty of children’s clothes and toys for kids of all ages, and good promotions tied in with movies and theme parks. Some people would add Disney Pins to that, but I think that trend is on the way out.

You may also remember that The Disney Catalog was a casualty of this failed experiment. They definitely need to bring that back (perhaps combined with some new form for The Disney Magazine).

I would also like to see the return of The Disney Gallery concept (perhaps mixed with the new high end clothing and furniture lines). Las Vegas, Anaheim, Orlando, New York City and Chicago are the obvious places to bring those to immediately. The Disney Gallery is an important destination store for The Disney Fan. Even if they don’t have a Disney Store in their community, they’ll go out of their way to find and visit the nearest Disney Gallery.

Keep in mind that while profitability is important, The Disney Stores serve as a ‘brand outpost’ for Disney’s other business ventures. Therefore it’s important that ’show’ trumps the bottom line. It may cost you a percentage point this year, but it will pay off in the long run with a stronger brand and a stronger Walt Disney Company in total.

But most of all, Fielding needs to bring back the high level of training The Disney Store cast members used to receive. Hire CMs who are already knowledgeable about Disney, have the Disney attitude, are ready to make the magic happen, and willing to go the extra mile to do so. Bring back the perks (Free park passes, trivia contests, etc.) of being a Disney Store CM too. Then train and retrain until The Disney Stores feel like you’ve just walked onto Main Street at Disneyland.

When it comes down to it, The Disney Stores are an extension of Disneyland’s Main Street. Which itself is an extension of America’s unique urban history and Walt Disney’s own childhood. Every The Disney Store Cast Member and Manager needs to remember there is an invisible line connecting them back to Walt Disney’s first job selling Newspapers on the train, which led to a passion for trains, which led to Disneyland, which led to The Disney Stores and their chance to make the magic for the next guest who crosses that threshold. Keep that in mind and the store sells itself.

(image of now closed Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops The Disney Store courtesy of palmsrick via Flickr Creative Commons license)

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Roundtable - 04/10/07

April 10, 2007    Category: Uncategorized   No Comments »

This week the team discusses the top news stories of the week, including why Keith Richards won't be promoting the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. John Magi and Kevin Klose discuss a recent visit to the Disney Magic, and offer perspective on the handicapped accessibility of the ship. Bob Varley discusses the start of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. All that, plus Listener Emails and Roundtable Rapidfire!

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Roundtable - 9/19/06

September 19, 2006    Category: Uncategorized   No Comments »

In this weeks show, Pete Werner tells about his experience on board the Disney Magic last week - the group discusses some of the ports of call on the Disney Cruise Line Western Caribbean itinerary (including Grand Cayman, Key West and Cozumel). John Magi tells about some new information learned aboard the Disney Wonder last week by Dreams Unlimited Travel agents that were on the 10 night sailing. And Kevin Klose discusses why the Pope could have waited a week before inflaming the Muslim community. We announce this weeks Sound Off winners, and offer up this weeks Sound Off question.

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