The Walt Disney Company agreed to acquire online social gaming company Playdo for $ 563.2 million, subject to certain conditions and a performance linked earn out of up to $ 200 million, the company disclosed on Tuesday.
With the acquisition, Disney expects to strengthen its digital gaming portfolio, acquire a management team and provide new ways to interact on social networks like Facebook and MySpace.
Guillermo del Toro’s is developing a film based on Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion attraction. Del Toro surprised over 6,000 fans at a panel at San Diego’s comic book convention Comic-Con with the announcement that he is teaming up with Walt Disney Studios to produce a film based on the classic theme park ride, built in 1969.
Priscillano “Pres” Romanillos, the animator who brought to life the athletic Native American Little Creek in DreamWorks’ “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and the evil Shan-Yu in Disney’s “Mulan,” has died. He was 47 years old. He died at his home in Tujunga on Saturday, surrounded by his family and friends.
Knotts Berry Farm, also known as “Knotts Scary Farm” around Halloween, will unveil three new haunted mazes during their 38th annual Halloween Haunt. The goulish festivities will take place on Wednesday through Sunday nights from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31 (except for Sept. 29). More details inside!
On July 18, 1955, Disneyland officially opened its doors in southern California. Now, fifty-five years later, a rare gathering of Disney Legends, family members, former executives (2 Disneyland Presidents), Imagineers and other special guests will be gathering in San Francisco at the new Walt Disney Family Museum – many of whom will share their personal stories about working with Walt.
As the continued process of re-themeing and enhancing takes place in Disney’s California Adventure park, Mulholland Madness is next on the list of attractions to receive an update. The family coaster will get a Goofy’s Sky Skool “refreshing” as part of the $1.1-billion effort to add a heavy dose of Mickey Mouse and friends to the under-performing theme park.
Create, by Disney.com, is an online entertainment portal that offers new ways to interact with Disney character art and graphics. Disney fans are now able to work with Disney art through applications that help create and design art work, comic books, music videos and much more. It’s also a great way to express creativity and communicate with other Disney fans.
Walt Disney has acquired startup iPhone app developer Tapulous, as the company continues its push into mobile games. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition will help Disney in its continuous drive to be the leader in mobile entertainment.
Ilene Woods, the voice of Disney’s Cinderella and Disney Legend, has died at age 81. Woods is most famous for her role as the voice of Cinderella in the 1950 classic animated film. One of her last film appearances was in Touched By An Angel as night nurse Cassie. The cause of her death has not been disclosed at this time.
