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.

Playdom’s titles, including Social City, Sorority Life, Market Street and Bola, engage around 42 million active players each month. 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.

Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Playdom has 15 game development studios. Reporting to DIMG president Steve Wadsworth, Playdom’s CEO John Pleasants will become an executive VP of the Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) and general manager of Playdom.

Additionally, the transaction will close by the end of Disney’s 2010 fiscal year and is subject to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act clearance and certain non-US merger control regulations.

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.

With the deal, Disney becomes one of the biggest developers of games for Apple’s App Store. Tapulous has 30 million users and is profitable, according to its website. “Tap Tap Revenge,” a top-selling download at the App Store, is played by tapping a screen to the rhythm of a song. While the software is free, players must buy new songs.

As part of the acquisition, Tapulous founders Bart Decrem and Andrew Lacy and their development team will join the Disney Interactive Media Group.

“As part of Disney Interactive Media Group, we’ll develop more games, more quickly and with the resources of the world’s leading entertainment company. We will continue to develop apps that live at the intersection of music and gaming, but we’ll also push into new and exciting areas of mobile social entertainment,” Decrem said.

Tapulous’ investors include Salesforce.com Chief Executive Marc Benioff and venture capital firm Khosla Ventures.

D23, the official Disney fan club that was formed just last year, has put together a fantastic list of events for 2010. Included in the list is a free “50 and Fabulous” screening series featuring classic Disney movies, D23 one-year anniversary events at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and a special celebration marking the 40th annivesary of the Walt Disney Archives.

Here are the contents of the official press release.

BURBANK, Calif. – Jan. 14, 2010 – D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today unveiled a host of special events that have been designed especially for its growing worldwide membership base.

Among the exiting offerings for 2010 are exclusive D23 one-year anniversary parties at the Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, free “50 and Fabulous” film screenings at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, and a special 40th anniversary celebration event to honor the Walt Disney Archives.

“In our first year, D23 created some truly memorable event opportunities for our members, and this year we plan to outdo ourselves with a mix of all-new events and encores of fan favorites,” said Steven Clark, head of D23. “D23 Members are going to have more opportunities than ever to be part of the Disney magic through the events we have planned in 2010, and we hope they’ll be as excited as we are to experience them alongside their fellow members.”

D23 Members will receive notification of special events and reservation times via e-mail, and all events are offered on a space-available basis. More details on events, and on becoming a D23 Member, can be found at www.disney.com/D23.

SAVE THE DATE!  D23’s special-event lineup includes:

January 22, 2010: A Practically Perfect Night of Surprises with D23 and Mary Poppins

D23 Members will attend a performance of the critically acclaimed Mary Poppins at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles – plus an exclusive post-show experience with the Mary Poppins cast… and a top-secret surprise guest. (Hint: It’s an actor from the classic 1964 film.) D23 Members will receive 20 percent off select tickets for the January 22 performance (in various seating locations and price ranges). Visit the D23 website at www.disney.com/D23 for ticket information and availability.

February 13, April 10, August 14 and November 13, 2010: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives

D23 Members will get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank and at the Walt Disney Archives on a two-hour tour hosted by D23 and Archives staff members. Three tours will be held on each date, and each tour can accommodate 50 people. In D23’s Charter Year, these special tours sold out almost immediately. Tickets for the February 13 and April 10 tours will be available at 10 a.m. Pacific time Thursday, January 26, and are $50 per person.

March 5, 2010: D23’s First-Anniversary Party at the Walt Disney World Resort

Hundreds of D23 Members are expected to gather from around the country – and around the world – for a once-in-a-lifetime night of magic and memories. The evening’s festivities include a private dinner inside the Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, followed by an exclusive D23 viewing of Mickey’s PhilharMagic. Afterward, guests will hear insider details about the upcoming Fantasyland expansion from Walt Disney Imagineering. The celebration will also feature a sumptuous dessert party, a special commemorative pin for everyone attending, and a host of surprises. More details, including reservation availability and pricing, will be announced shortly on D23’s website.

March 10, 2010: D23’s First-Anniversary Party at the Disneyland Resort

D23 will hold its one and only West Coast anniversary celebration in the most magical land at the Happiest Place on Earth: Fantasyland. D23 Members will take over all of Fantasyland for one amazing night filled with classic attractions, familiar characters (as well as a few you may not have seen in a while!), and a chance to see rare pieces of Disneyland history up close. Plus, D23 Members and their guests will enjoy an array of delicious Disney-inspired desserts, a special commemorative pin for everyone attending, and other surprises. Additional information, including reservation availability and pricing, will be announced shortly on D23’s website.

March 27, 2010: “50 and Fabulous” Screening of Toby Tyler

At last year’s D23 Expo, Disney fans had a chance to see Disney masterpieces that were celebrating their Golden Anniversaries… a new D23 tradition that continues in 2010, this time in the recently renovated, state-of-the-art, 400-seat Studio Theater on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank. Tickets to the “50 and Fabulous” screenings are free for D23 Members and their guests, and the series kicks off with a movie that hasn’t been seen on the big screen since its first release in 1960: Toby Tyler, or 10 Weeks with a Circus. D23’s screening of this lighthearted, live-action comedy will combine with special D23 surprises and the opportunity to enjoy a movie in this exclusive cinematic venue. Reservations may be made beginning at 10 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday, January 26. (A $5 processing fee for each ticket will apply.)

As with all live events, dates and times are subject to change.

Additional D23 special events are planned throughout 2010, including:

• May 8: “50 and Fabulous” screening of Pollyanna at the Walt Disney Studio Theatre;

• May 29-30: “Flowers and Fireworks” event at the Walt Disney World® Resort, adding all-new elements as D23 expands the festivities to two days;

• June 26: A special celebration at the Walt Disney Studios marking the 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney Archives;

• July 10: “50 and Fabulous” screening of Swiss Family Robinson at the Walt Disney Studio Theatre;

• October 15-16: “Sip & Stroll” at the immensely popular Epcot International Food and Wine Festival;

• October 23: “50 and Fabulous” screening of The Sign of Zorro at the Walt Disney Studio Theatre

• December 11-12: “Magic and Merriment” weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort;

D23 is also in the planning stages for even more exciting 2010 events, details of which will be revealed in the coming months.

For more details on becoming a member of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans, or renewing existing memberships, visit www.disney.com/D23.

The Associated Press is reporting that shareholders of Marvel Entertainment Inc. have approved the company’s acquisition by The Walt Disney Co.  The $4.3-billion acquisition will close at the end of the day, bringing Spider-Man, Iron Man, and 5,000 other comic-book characters under the same roof as Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck.

Shareholder approval of the deal was expected. Marvel Chief Executive Isaac (Ike) Perlmutter, who owns 37 per cent of Marvel stock, supported it. He will be overseeing the Marvel business after the acquisition.

Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash, plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. The deal is Disney’s largest since it purchased Pixar Animation Studios Inc., the maker of Up and Cars , for $7.4-billion in stock in 2006.

Now it will be interesting to see how Disney might integrate Marvel characters into their company culture, if they do at all. Could we see a Marvel themes attraction come to a Disney park in the near future or will Disney simply keep the two separate? Thoughts?

Walt Disney Company recently announced its plans build a 56-acre film/television production facility in northern Los Angeles County, casting a ray of light on an otherwise gloomy film economy that has hemorrhaged thousands of jobs in the last decade.

The proposed Disney/ABC Studios at the Ranch would occupy a corner of the Golden Oak Ranch, a sprawling 890-acre parcel off California 14 that has been the setting of such classic films as “Old Yeller.”

Disney filed applications Wednesday with Los Angeles County planning officials in the first step of a lengthy approval process. The new complex is not expected to open before 2013. County officials anticipate little opposition from the community, which has already become a television production hub in recent years. A half-dozen television shows, including HBO’s “Big Love” and CBS’ “NCIS,” are based in nearby Santa Clarita.

Plans call for 12 sound stages, production offices, a commissary and other facilities that could be used for film, television, commercial and new media projects.

“The proposed expansion will be a significant economic boost for the Santa Clarita Valley and northern Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who represents the area.”Although the county must review and analyze Disney’s application, I am encouraged that one of the world’s largest and most successful entertainment companies is making this commitment.”

See The Los Angeles Times article “Disney plans to build major production facility near Santa Clarita” for further details.

Disney’s official community for Disney fans – D23, has announced a lineup of  special events for Fall 2009 which include the first viewing of  “The Princess and the Frog,” the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the amazing productions of The Lion King and Mary Poppins and back by popular demand, the legendary lot at The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives will be open for guided tours.

“D23 continues to create unique and unforgettable events around the country that only D23 Members can experience,” said Steven Clark, head of D23.  “Our Spring and Summer events introduced us to our Members for the very first time, and we look forward to meeting more of them this Fall; plus, as with everything we do, D23 Members can expect some amazing surprises along the way.”

Following is a list of Fall 2009 events scheduled for members.

October 7     D23 and The Lion King Roar into Anchorage
(Anchorage, AK) This award-winning musical phenomenon has entertained more than 50 million guests around the world and now, thanks to our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions, D23 Members can have a magical night to remember at The Lion King at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, including premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program, an exclusive show merchandise item, a special “behind-the-scenes” experience after the show, and more!

October 7      D23 and Poppins Breeze into the Lone Star State
(Dallas, TX) D23 Members can have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious night to remember at Mary Poppins in Dallas—featuring original Broadway stars Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Gavin Lee (Bert)—with premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program and a once-in-a-lifetime “behind-the-scenes” experience.  D23 Members also will receive the recently released 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

November 7       D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives (FREE)
(Burbank, CA) — A rare opportunity for D23 Members to enjoy a 2-hour tour of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, hosted by D23 and Walt Disney Archives staff.  Space is very limited.

November 18      D23 and Poppins Flies into Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, CA)  D23 Members will have the chance to experience the “practically perfect” Mary Poppins—featuring original Broadway stars Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Gavin Lee (Bert)—like never before, with premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program and a once-in-a-lifetime “behind-the-scenes” experience.  D23 Members also will receive the recently released 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

November 20      D23 and The Lion King Roar into Spokane
(Spokane, WA) Simba and Nala have entertained more than 50 million guests across the world. Now D23 Members can have a magical night to remember at The Lion King, including premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program, exclusive show merchandise item, a special “behind-the-scenes” experience after the show, and more!

November 25, 2009      D23 Night at The Princess and the Frog
Join D23 at a very special first-night screening of The Princess and the Frog, when The Walt Disney Studios opens its gates for the first time in history to the general public! After being one of the first audiences to see The Princess and the Frog in the newly renovated Main Theatre on The Walt Disney Studios Lot, guests will go over to Sound Stage 3 for the Ultimate Disney Experience, where they can meet ALL the Disney princesses, including the star of the film, Princess Tiana.  D23 Members will learn to draw a character from the movie from a Disney animator; see original costumes, sets and props from the Walt Disney Archives, and much, much more! Tickets for this event will be available at the D23 Expo in addition to the D23 ticketing phone line.

Additional Events

Complimenting the above spectacular experiences are three extraordinary events.

Sip & Stroll will offer a host of exclusive, delicious opportunities during the Epcot ® International Food & Wine Festival on Sunday, October 18.

D23 will celebrate the season with Disney and Dickens on Thursday, December 10, featuring VIP seating for Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, followed by a private dinner at the legendary Tam O’Shanter restaurant in Los Angeles—a frequent hang out of Walt Disney and his animators.

On December 12 and 13, D23 will bring Magic & Merriment to Walt Disney World with out-of-this-world holiday magic.

Additional details and ticket prices for these truly unique events will be made available in the coming weeks.

To find out more about D23’s Fall 2009 Special Events Calendar, including admissions and how to register for events, visit www.disney.com/D23 and click on the “Expo & Events” tab. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice, have varying admission fees and registration processes, and may require advance reservations due to space limitations.

It appears that Spider Man, Iron Man and other Marvel characters will now become part of the Disney family. Disney announced this morning that they are buying Marvel Entertainment which includes more than 5,000 Marvel characters.

Spider Man and Iron Man are two of the more popular characters in the Marvel family largely due to the success of movies related to the characters in recent years but it doesn’t end there. X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor are just some of the many within the vast company of Marvel characters.

“This is a great fit for us,” Disney boss Bob Iger told CNBC this morning. He said the acquisition was a way to attract more boys.

Disney said the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share — or about $4 billion. Iger said the acquisition will grow both Disney and Marvel. He also went on to make it clear that Disney would not rebrand the Marvel characters as Disney ones. Iger did tell CNBC there are many opportunities to mine Marvel characters that are not well known.

“This puts us in an enviable position,” Iger said. Disney can decide whether to extend deals with third parties, such as Sony, when they come up.

“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses,” said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney’s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world.”

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders.

Disney fans and enthusiasts will be given unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, park experiences, collectibles and more from September 10 to September 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center when Disney and D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans present the first-ever D23 EXPO.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available beginning today at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission, which is discounted for members of D23, includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities.

“We hope this will be the ultimate event for the multitude of fans who have been so instrumental in Disney’s success,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. “The D23 Expo represents the finest in Disney entertainment from across our great company and will offer a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience for people of all ages to enjoy.”

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle added, “The upcoming D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center will serve as an exciting opportunity to present Anaheim to the millions of Disney enthusiasts around the world. For the thousands of inaugural-year D23 Expo attendees who will visit our city in September, this will be a special and a memorable time in the birthplace of Walt Disney’s original theme park. It is a great honor for Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center to host this event.”

Among the centerpiece events of the D23 EXPO will be an extraordinary, exclusive opportunity to get early glimpses of several all-new Disney feature films. Only at the D23 EXPO will guests preview a wide range of upcoming movie events, including The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, TRON, Toy Story 3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. These special sneak peeks will all take place in a state-of-the-art cinema built especially for the D23 EXPO.

Guests will be taken behind the scenes to explore the rich legacy and exciting future of Disney’s theme parks and vacation destinations worldwide. Highlights will include a special look at what’s being imagineered for the future of Disney’s California Adventure, a peek behind closed doors at the amazing new technologies defining today’s and tomorrow’s Disney theme park experience, and the opportunity to meet and hear from the Imagineers, Cast Members and key Disney Parks and Resorts executives who create lasting memories for millions every year.

In many different ways, the D23 EXPO will explore the history and heritage of Walt Disney and the company he founded more than 80 years ago. The D23 EXPO will be home to the 2009 Disney Legends Awards – a 22-year tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment. This year’s recipients will be honored at a ceremony on Saturday, September 12, marking the first time the prestigious event has been held off Disney property.

In an extraordinary exhibition designed especially for the D23 EXPO, an incredible collection of classic and contemporary Disney props, artifacts and costumes will be accessible to the public for the first time ever. “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” brings together such amazing pieces as the fully restored, 11-foot model of the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; the stunning, jewel-encrusted book used in the opening moments of Sleeping Beauty; and other rare surprises from throughout Disney’s history. Ranging from the original Mickey Mouse Club and the musical classic Mary Poppins to recent hits like Pirates of the Caribbean and High School Musical, the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” is a never-before-experienced exhibition that’s a D23 EXPO exclusive.

The D23 EXPO spotlight will also shine on Disney Channel’s brightest stars in a can’t miss-special event. There will also be an ESPN Sports Lounge, live broadcasts from Radio Disney, and a preview of ABC’s new fall primetime shows, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks at www.D23Expo.com.

For Disney fans who want to take home part of the magic, Disney Consumer Products will offer myriad opportunities to do just that. Only at the D23 EXPO will guests be able to walk through the eight-room “Disney Dream Home,” celebrate the holidays Disney-style, see fine art created before their eyes, learn about Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, experience Disney couture fashion shows, meet and hear from the authors of a dazzling array of Disney books, prepare for trick-or-treating with the latest Disney Store Halloween costumes, and more … all under one roof.

The expo also will be home to the “Disney Dream Store,” where guests will find exclusive D23 EXPO merchandise and collectibles; the Disney pin-trading headquarters; and much more, including the chance to build your own Mouse ears.

Showcasing Disney’s appeal to fans of every generation, the D23 EXPO has created a multi-layered experience: Avid Disney enthusiasts can attend dozens of specially created panels and celebrity-speaker events, details of which will be announced over the next several weeks. Younger Disney fans, meanwhile, will be able to experience special interactive play areas, meet their favorite Radio Disney DJs broadcasting live, watch “Princess makeover” demos from the Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique, and have fun in the Baby Einstein play area. Together, families can enjoy the Disney Crafts Center and learn about scrapbooking, Disney-style.

The D23 Collectors’ Forum will present a wide range of options for collectors to show and sell their Disney memorabilia. Those interested in exhibiting can visit www.D23Expo.com for more information.

Fans also will be able to view and even take part in the first-ever Disney Fan Art Gallery, which will include the finalists in the Donald Duck 75th Anniversary Portrait Contest, as well as a one-of-a-kind fan art show.

All activities at the D23 EXPO are included in single- and four-day admissions, including the “50 and Fabulous Film Festival,” which honors three classic Disney movies that are celebrating their golden anniversaries this year. Sleeping Beauty, The Shaggy Dog and Darby O’Gill and the Little People, all originally released in 1959, will be presented on the big screen, one movie each evening, for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy together. Also featured at the D23 EXPO will be a special screening of Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming Tinker Bell: Lost Treasure, along with an in-depth exploration of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition, which will be released this fall by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO, which go on sale today, are $37 for a one-day adult admission and $27 for children 3-12. To experience every bit of entertainment and excitement at the D23 EXPO, four-day passes are also available at $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages are available at the D23 EXPO website, from both the Walt Disney Travel Company (including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission), and the Anaheim Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about the entertainment, events and special guests that will be part of the first-ever D23 EXPO will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all of the announcements by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts recently announced the purchase of a 15-acre site in National Harbor, Maryland overlooking the Potomac River for $11 million. The site is slated to be home to a 500-room resort, though Disney has not yet announced details or a start date for the work.

Located close to the District of Columbia, the National Harbor development is a 300-acre complex, which will eventually contain hotels, residences and a convention center.

Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo and Peterson Companies chairman Milton V. Peterson looking at a model of the National Harbor development. Photo © Disney.

“As we began identifying possible locations to grow our business, the Washington, DC area immediately jumped to the top of our list,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “National Harbor offers an array of entertaining activities for regional visitors, but it is also a family-friendly base camp, from which visitors around the world can explore the stirring sights and inspirational stories of our nation’s capital. We believe National Harbor has the unique opportunity to offer a new level of family-friendly hospitality.”

While there has been no formal announcement, it is believed that this Disney development will be a mixed-use resort, combining standard hotel rooms with Disney Vacation Club accommodations. This would follow the same model set by the resort currently under development at Ko Olina in Oahu, Hawaii. That resort is scheduled to open in October 2011.

Mashable reports that Disney has announced that it’s acquired a stake in quickly growing video site Hulu, joining News Corp and NBC Universal in the venture. That means full-length episodes of ABC hits shows will be available side-by-side with content from NBC and News Corp’s FOX.

This move gives Hulu a huge leg-up on YouTube who is just getting started in licensing content from the big media companies and so far has a fairly uninspiring selection of shows. It also leaves CBS – who publishes its own full-length episodes on its site and on TV.com – as the odd man out.

Peter Chernin, COO of News Corp, talks to the nature of Hulu’s now big lead in pro content in a statement: “Hulu, quite simply, now has the best premium content on the web. With three major networks and over 150 leading content providers providing content, combined with the best video user interface anywhere on the web, Hulu offers consumers the finest premium online video experience available today.”

It is reported that Disney has taken as much as a 30% in Hulu which has increased by 62% in just six months, to 380 million video views and a 2.6% market share. Analysts believe that Hulu will soon be the second most popular video viewing site next to YouTube. Is it no wonder Disney wants in on the action?