Disney has announced that “The Disneyland Story, Featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” will reopen later this year. Every since the show was removed four years ago during Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary celebration, Disney purists had wondered when and if Mr. Lincoln would ever return. Now the attraction is scheduled to reopen.
Russia’s powerful Federal Anti-Monopoly Commission (FAS) is blocking a deal that would launch a Disney-branded television station in Russia. The agency claims that the deal for a 49% stake in a joint venture with regional commercial network Media One TV, which runs channels in 30 of the country’s 89 regions, “was not in the interests of free competition.”
The Walt Disney Company has acquired Kerpoof, a web-based creative design suite for children that launched at 2007’s TechCrunch 40. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Kerpoof’s online portal at Kerpoof.com will continue to operate as its technology is deployed on Disney’s homepage.
After learning that Hard Rock Park, the rock n’ roll themed amusement park named after the popular restaurant chain, would close it doors forever, it seems as if the park has found a buyer. A bankruptcy judge on Tuesday approved the sale of the park for $25 million to FPI MB Entertainment. They plan to reopen the park by Memorial Day.
Disney Consumer Products and the LEGO Group recently announced a multi-year licensing agreement that gives the LEGO access to an extensive portfolio of renowned Disney and Disney Pixar properties. LEGO and LEGO Duplo products are currently in development for three franchises — Disney Pixar’s Toy Story and Cars, and Prince of Persia.
For the first time in its history, Disney is creating a film with an African-American princess. Princess Tiana’s story will come to the big screen later this year in the animated musical “The Princess and The Frog.” She is the first princess introduced by Disney since Mulan in 1998.
Disney Online today introduced DisneyXD.com, the online and mobile Web destination for the new Disney entertainment brand designed to appeal to kids and teen boys. An abundance of action-based games, full-length video and customizable community features populate the site.
As Disney seeks to transform their Toon Disney channel to Disney XD, they have cast a teenage action hero who will lead the way in the channel’s new focus: young, male viewers. “Aaron Stone” is the first original series in which title character is an avatar created by 16-year-old Charlie Landers, played by Kelly Blatz, for the online game “Hero Rising.”
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders were given the opportunity to preview the newly refurbished “it’s a small world” attraction at Disneyland yesterday, just ahead of the public reopening this morning. With the exception of being open briefly for the Christmas holiday, the attraction closed last February for a lengthy renovation’
During the month of February, Disney is offering a sweepstakes in which participants have the opportunity to enter every day and in a variety of ways for the chance of winning one of five magical vacations to either the Anaheim or Orlando theme parks. It is all part of their Magical Celebrations promotion going on this year.
