Planning For A Disaster...

Thirteen years ago on this date, a group of 36 Disney Suits gathered with Michael Eisner in Aspen, Colorado at a ski resort. For the next few days they'll be sitting around trying to come up with a Second Gate for Disneyland that is a cheaper alternative to the high priced concepts of WestCOT and Port Disney...

Eisner wants something that will be less of a headache in terms of conception, construction and cost than the previous designs that WDI turned into him. By the end of the retreat they come up with a bold new concept for a Disney theme park in California:

"Disney's California Adventure"

Eisner, Pressler and the other Suits believe they have a winner on their hands. Something that is a sure-fire bet that can't loose. After all, the public would pay to see anything with Disney's name on it.

Right?

Selling The Future's Past...

Since there's so much "Tron" talk going on right now, I thought it would be nice to take a look at some of the posters used to sell us on journeying into that world...















Ahhh, the 80's. Gotta love it!

Disney 'Ventures'...

The New York Times Brooks Barnes has a nice article on the Mouse's success with "Adventures by Disney". It's a good read.

Elec"TR2N"ic Clarifications...

All those rumors swirling around about Tron 2 only became more applified when Jim Hill published that story about Lasseter's involvement the other day...

It appears that Harry over at Ain't It Cool News got an e-mail from Steven Lisberger himself and got some soothing clarification on the matter.

How Do You Fit $4 Gas Into A Theme Park Ticket...

Well, it appears the rising cost of a barrel of oil/a gallon of gas has trickled down to a day of admission at a Disney theme park...

Disney always raises prices as does every corporation when it comes to the cost of doing business, but it normally doesn't raise them year over year. It usually takes closer to two years between increases.

Not this time. With the global economy needing more oil(particularly China and India), rising competition and America's lack of resolve to drill for more, the cost of oil goes up...

And so does a ticket into the American parks:


Walt Disney World ticket prices

Adults $75(up $4), Children $63(up $3).

Disneyland ticket prices

Adults $69(up $3), Children $59(up $3).

Race Site Is Open...

The website for Walt Disney Pictures "Race to Witch Mountain" is up...

Of course there is no trailer, YET. But the graphic and logo are kinda purty.

Paul Bunyan Got His AARP Card Today...

Fifty years ago today the animated Disney short "Paul Bunyan" was released. Directed by Les Clark with character design by Tom Oreb, this 17 minute short about an American folk tale would go on to haunt me with that catchy "Hey Paul" song...