Construction Begins on State-of-the-Art Laundry Facility at Walt Disney World Resort

As a reflection of recent growth, Walt Disney World Resort has begun construction of a new, state-of-the-art laundry facility that will create new jobs and be a model for the textile industry.

Scheduled to open in spring, 2015, this new facility will support the expansion of resort hotel rooms and accommodate adjustments in the type of linens used at the resort hotels.

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Located near Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the new laundry facility is expected to create 400 new jobs, including 200 construction-related jobs and 200 additional Cast Member jobs with roles ranging from linen handlers and maintenance personnel to managers. Upon completion, this fourth laundry at Walt Disney World Resort will be one of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in the United States.

“The new facility will showcase some of the textile industry’s most cutting-edge features including conveyors and air suction tubes that quickly move linens and machines that automatically sort, separate and fold,” said J.R. Garcia, director of textile services at Walt Disney World Resort.

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‘Maleficent’ Sneak Peek coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios April 18

Starting April 18, guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have the chance to see a special extended trailer of “Maleficent” in the ABC Sound Studio. The thrilling trailer will be playing daily through mid-June. “Maleficent” opens in theaters on May 30 and stars Angelina Jolie in the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone.
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Victory Hill Exhibitions and Marvel Entertainment to premiere Marvel’s AVENGERS: S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

Victory Hill Exhibitions, in association with Marvel Entertainment, announces the Marvel’s AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N., the highly anticipated new exhibition based on the global box office smash, Marvel’s The AVENGERS. Premiering May 23, 2014 at Discovery Times Square, this S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) based exhibition will run from May 23, 2014 to January 4, 2015.

The Marvel’s AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) is a completely immersive experience that brings visitors into the world of The AVENGERS.  Marvel’s AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is an interactive exhibit experience that allows visitors to participate in a simulated recruitment as if they were being trained as agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

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Learn About the “it’s a small world” Sing Along Website

The phrase “time flies when you’re having fun” has never been more appropriate! It’s hard to believe, but the whimsical clock in front of “it’s a small world” has now been ticking for almost 50 years. Join the anniversary celebration on smallworld50.com. Here you can record yourself singing the iconic song to share with your friends, create your own custom doll and watch Disney fans from around the globe come together to remind us all that “it’s a small world.” On April 10, 2014, the “happiest cruise that ever sailed” celebrates a half-century since it originally debuted at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.

To participate in the “it’s a small world” 50th Anniversary visit: http://www.smallworld50.com/en/home

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Sneak Peek: Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver on ‘Avengers 2’ Set

Take a look at Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch (Getty/Marvel).

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver (Getty/Marvel)

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A Look at Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade by Jennifer Romano

During this past week, a new parade, the Festival of Fantasy, debuted at Magic Kingdom, and I was lucky enough to see it!  This parade is a huge improvement over the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade that recently retired.  The music, costumes, and floats in the Festival of Fantasy parade show creativity as well as a strong attention to detail.  Each float tells a different story, and the floats also have many moving parts that contribute to the overall kinetic feeling of this entertainment offering.  For example, the Tangled float looks like a huge ship, and Flynn Rider swings back and forth on the float during the entire parade.  One of the most impressive sections of the parade is the giant steampunk dragon that breaths fire.  It is an artistic masterpiece, and the fact that it breathes fire is amazing and quite exciting. The Peter Pan float is also well done; it is very tall, and the cannons that are attached to the pirate ship actually fire every few minutes.

            Not only are the floats intricate, the costumes are also bright and colorful. Every float includes the major characters related to the movie or franchise represented, but between each section, there are various dancers to represent more minor characters or just background from these movies.  Every costume looks like it was made specifically to reflect as much sunlight as possible.  I enjoyed the dancing sections between the floats much more during this parade than I have during previous parades. 

            With regard to the performers in the Festival of Fantasy, all I can say is, “Wow!” These folks looked excited and happy from the moment the parade started until the moment the parade ended.  No one ever looked tired or miserable or uncomfortable.  Everyone performed in a way that can only be described as magical.  This is important, because even though all of the floats are beautiful and interactive, the characters and performers really drive the action of this parade.  I truly enjoyed the high energy of every part of the entire spectacle.  I have only seen the parade once, but I want to see it many more times so that I can really examine all of the details.  This new entertainment option is such an excellent addition to the Magic Kingdom, and it really helps to celebrate the focus on New Fantasyland as it nears its completion.  This parade also matches the grand scope and scale of the Magic Kingdom in Florida.  If you are at Walt Disney World in the near future, make sure to see the Festival of Fantasy; you will not be disappointed.  Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

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The Walt Disney Company to Acquire Maker Studios, the Leading Network of Online Video Content

Furthering its goal of bringing content to consumers on all the platforms they prefer, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has agreed to acquire Maker Studios, the leading network of online video content on YouTube.

 

Maker Studios shareholders will receive total consideration of $500 million, and a performance-linked earn-out of up to $450 million if the strong performance targets are met.

 

With more than 55,000 channels, 380 million subscribers and 5.5 billion views per month on YouTube, Maker has established itself as the top online video network for Millennials.

 

By acquiring Maker Studios, Disney will gain advanced technology and business intelligence capability regarding consumers’ discovery and interaction with short-form online videos, including Disney content.

 

“Short-form online video is growing at an astonishing pace and with Maker Studios, Disney will now be at the center of this dynamic industry with an unmatched combination of advanced technology and programming expertise and capabilities,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

 

“Disney is synonymous with the best entertainment and is the ideal partner for us, strengthening our position as the leading player in online video,” said Ynon Kreiz, Executive Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios.

 

Maker Studios will report to Disney Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo. Maker Studios will remain headquartered in Culver City, Calif., with operations in New York and London.

 

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory clearances, is expected to close in Disney’s third fiscal quarter.

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Video – Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’ Sing-Along Performed at Walt Disney World Resort

If you watched ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America’s” “Frozen”-themed singalong event, then you saw (and heard) a group of talented children performing a portion of the song “Let it Go!” at the Walt Disney World Resort. Today, to celebrate the recent release of Disney’s Academy Award-winning film “Frozen” on Blu-ray Combo Pack, we’re sharing their complete – and adorable – performance with Anna and Elsa.

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Ben Sherwood Named to Succeed Anne Sweeney as Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group in February 2015

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced that ABC News President Ben Sherwood, who successfully steered ABC News to new heights over the past several years, including driving “Good Morning America” to #1, brokering a landmark partnership with Yahoo to create the #1 news and information online network, and launching Fusion, a joint venture news and lifestyle network with Univision, will assume the title of co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group on February 1, 2015. Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group will remain in that capacity through January 2015.

Effective immediately, Mr. Sherwood will begin the transition as Co-President, Disney/ABC Television Group. He will also continue to oversee ABC News until a successor is named.

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Idina Menzel talks Adele Dazeem

Idina Menzel will be featured on the March 29 cover of Billboard Magazine.  Here is an excerpt from the article, where she discusses the famous “Adele Dazeem” name:

ADELE DAZEEM GOT FLOWERS AND A NOTE. “That threw me for a minute, but then I just got back on track and reminded myself of where I was,” says Menzel of John Travolta’s now-infamous flubbing of her name at this year’s Oscars. “He was really gracious and sent this gorgeous email, and we’re buddies and it’s all cool.” He also sent flowers, and thanks to the “Grease” actor’s error, she’s a household name — twice over. “Please. I mean, I’ve only benefited from it.”

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