Posted by Ashley McChesney on Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 03:54 PM
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden told a town hall meeting in Tampa on January 28th 2010 that Florida is getting $1.25 billion in federal stimulus money to build a high-speed rail link between Orlando and Tampa.
President Obama said,
"That's going to be good for the economy of the region, and it's going ot be good for individual lifestyles, because people aren't going to be stuck in traffic for two hours. It'll increase productivity, they'll get to work on time, and they'll be less aggravated."
Construction on the rail line could start as soon as next year. The train could be operating by 2015. The route should start at the Orlando International Airport, then make stops at the Orlando Convention Center and Walt Disney World, not to mention stops near many other theme parks like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and the upcoming Legoland.
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Fri, Jan 15, 2010 @ 05:48 PM
Merlin Entertainment Group has purchased Cypress Gardens. The sale was closed on January 7th and the price has yet to be disclosed.
Cypress Gardens boasts that it is Florida first amusement park who fought a long battle to stay open by undergoing several refurbishment attempts and finally had to close down for good last fall.
Merlin Entertainment's attractions include Legoland theme parks (including the LegoLand water park that will be opening by this summer) and Mandame Tussaud's Was Museums.
Rumor mill says we may have a Legoland here in Florida eventually, buying Cypress Gardens may be the first step!
More details are expected next week during a press conference. We will update as soon as we have the info.
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 @ 09:43 AM
Roy Edward Disney, son of Disney Studios co-founder Roy O. Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney, passed away Dec. 16 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., following a yearlong battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. His death occurred 43 years and one day after Walt Disney died, also from cancer.
Walt and Roy E. Disney
He was known to have publicly feuded with top executives at the Disney Company and was the organizer of two share holder upstarts (know and Save Disney Wars) that saved the Company from buyouts and ruin. Despite the conflict, he always had the company's interests at heart - keeping it in a state Uncle Walt would have been proud of. He worked diligently for the Disney company for 56 years after graduating from Harvard. He received Oscar nominations for his work as writer and production associate. He also moved Disney pictures into the "golden age of animation" as the head of Disney Animation through releases of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. Even his charity knew no bounds, he served on the board for California Institute of the Arts, UNICEF, and Ronald McDonald House. Though he may have been the most proud of his yacht racing records.
"Roy and I enjoyed a 35-year friendship and partnership that was simply special...We faced many business challenges together, had fun in the process and enjoyed a wide variety of professional successes. Roy was a man who was steadfastly loyal to his principles and to his friends. He was a gracious, humble gentleman who could make the tough decisions life sometimes requires."
- Stanley Gold
"On behalf of everyone at Disney, we are saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Roy E. Disney. He was much more than a valued 56-year Company veteran - Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle."
- Bob Iger
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 @ 11:23 AM
First of all, happy veterans day! Thank you to those who keep us safe and are willing to put everything on the line to protect and serve us! You are all my heroes.
The Orlando Theme Parks feel the same way. The best way they know how to show it - is to try and save our military personnel and veterans money, and in this economy that may be one of the best gifts of all.
Disney World
Special deal for eligible members of the U.S. Military: Save up to 40% on rooms at select Disney Moderate Resorts! For stays most nights until December 23, 2009.
Active or Retired Member of the U.S. Military Through December 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions.
Friends and Family During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel (or their spouses, but not both) may purchase up to a maximum of five 5-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends.
All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 23, 2009.
Activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (presenting orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard are also eligible to participate in this offer.
"Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets can be obtained only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices, or at main entrance theme park ticket windows.
More Info
Universal Studios
Universal offers military personnel a free two-park unlimited admission ticket, good for six days from its first use. Companion tickets available for $90. There are also Blue Man Group discount tickets available as well.
You can pick up or buy these tickets only at military base ticket offices. They are not available at Universal Orlando parks' front gates.
This offer is available through December 18th of 2009.
More Info (pdf)
SeaWorld & Busch Gardens
Budweiser is honored to salute the men and women of our armed forces and their families. Throughout 2009, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter any one of Anheuser-Busch's SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. Pick up tickets at park window or register online.
More Info & Registration
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Wed, Oct 07, 2009 @ 10:58 AM
We reported earlier that SeaWorld may be sold to Blackstone Group. Well it's coming in that it was made official today, Busch Parks are to be sold to Blackstone Group!
InBev announced this morning that it will sell Busch Entertainment Corp. to the Blackstone Group for about 2.3 billion with options for Busch (beer brewer) to see a return on it's investments up to 400 million.
It is expected that Blackstone will leave Busch management as it is and use the Busch parks as a standalone investment (no interference).
Budweiser's Clydesdale horses will be removed from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks.
Lot's of people have been wondering about what this means for the tourism business in Florida - Blackstone has said they bought Busch, Universal and Merlin (Legoland and Madame Toussads) out of separate investment funds with separate investors and interests and does not plan on mixing them.
As of 12:18 EST Blackstone Group stock is at +0.76
We will be updating on the details as they come in!
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 @ 03:02 PM
In the Theme Park and Movie world even bad changes can't go unmatched. Massive Executive Changes Part Two: Universal Studios Style! It's no secret that the economy isn't doing wonderful right now, and understandably movies at both the box office and home release aren't doing all that well either. Surely moving around some of the executives will change all of that though! At least that's what Universal and Disney think.
Not just any executives either, the top two! Co-chairmen to be exact. It was announced October 5th 2009 that Marc Shmuger and David Linde were stepping down after three and a half years in the position. They will be replaced by Adam Fogelson, who is the studio's marketing chief, and Donna Langley, the studio's president for production. Congratulations to the both of them for being promoted to one of the most stressful jobs in history. Universal has come out and said directly that they are counting on these two to turn around the slump they are in. No pressure or anything.
And that's not all; newest rumor is that Comcast may be buying NBC Universal. But Universal was the second choice, five years ago Comcast tried and failed to buy Walt Disney Co. for $54 billion. Reports have come out that Comcast is looking to take a 51% stake, which would give them the controlling piece of the pie. CNBC's David Faber said "the prospective deal is complex and is far from a certainty."
We will keep you up to date as we get more news.
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Tue, Oct 06, 2009 @ 02:21 PM
It seems that we can start to expect major Disney news once a week, thats been the trend anyway. News keeps pouring out of the executive offices leaving fans asking how smart it is to change most of your star lineup at once.
Ed Grier (President of Disneyland Resort) is retiring from the Disney Company citing "growth and change in my own family." This is the Fourth Disneyland President to step down after three years in service. He officially stepped down on Friday, October 2nd 2009. As of yet no replacement has been named. In a memo to employees he said:
"I have been humbled and honored during the past three years as I've watched your hard work create smiles and laughter, and delight our Guests. The power of Disney magic never ceases to amaze me, and your passion will always be a source of inspiration"
Fans have taken to message boards and their own blogs to say that this seems to be a good move for Disney. However, the matter of Dick Cook leaving and his replacement are a whole different matter!
Dick Cook was Disney's studio chief who was in charge of developing, distributing and marketing all films, live-action or animated, released by Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures. Dick Cook's leaving Disney (in September of 2009) spurned rage in fans and Hollywood alike, pushing Johnny Depp to say that Cook's departure made him lose his appetite for doing more Pirates Films. Disney is working hard to say that the Depp rumors are false and working even harder to quell the uprising that the announcement of Rich Ross being Cook's replacement caused.
Rich Ross was an executive at Disney Channel that you can thank for Hanna Montana and High School Musical. No one questions his selling power and ability to spot stars from a mile away but T.V. and movies are worlds apart. However, Disney has made some major financial cuts to Miramax (one of the labels under the Disney umbrella) which will make Rich Ross' job marginally smaller for the time being. Fans are wondering if he will be in over his head when Disney moves forward with its plans to buy Marvel though. Or their new "creepy" film line Double Dare You that already had its first movie "Trollhunter" in the works, that will be a huge task all by itself. I suppose only time will tell, but the world of Disney has enough drama for its own movie! We will keep you up to date as we get the news.
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Posted by Ashley McChesney on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 @ 07:56 AM
Free Disney Park Admission for Volunteer Work
Disney announced today on Good Morning America what this years park promotion will be - Give a Day Get a Day! Last year was "free on your birthday" but come December 31st that promotion will no longer be active.
Beginning January 1st 2010, when you sign up to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you'll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park, FREE! We want to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service.
Rules:
- Volunteer service must be done at an approved charity, and you must sign up for service through the Disney site.
- Admission will be for one day at one park.
- Ticket quantities for this program are limited.
- One ticket per person, regardless of the number or hours of volunteer service completed.
- The program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first.
- Must be a resident of US, Puerto Rico, or Canada.
- Maximum of 9 members per household may use this program and children participating must be at least 6 years old.
- Tickets are non-transferable.
Blockout dates for free tickets
- For Walt Disney World Resort: March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010.
- For Disneyland Resort: February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, and December 11-12, 2010.
If annual passholders would like to participate, they'll be offered one of three choices instead of the free ticket:
- Special Fastpass cards for certain attractions for up to six people.
- A collectible Ear Hat figurine and exclusive trading pins.
- Donate the free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney.
Take a look at all the FAQs for answers to all of your questions.
In addition to the free admission, volunteers will be able to sign up for "CHEERS TO VOLUNTEERS" SWEEPSTAKES (a 5 day/4 night Disney vacation) which starts at 8:00 A.M., ET on September 29, 2009 and ends March 31, 2010 at 11:59:59 PM, ET.
Although the announcement was scheduled for the morning of September 29th, HGTV aired the commercial a little early, lucky us a Disney fan caught it.
How do you feel about the new promotion?