LPWire: Disney Online Launches Broadband Edition of Disney's Blast

Disney Online Launches Broadband Edition of Disney's Blast
Disney's Blast Now Customized for Connection Speed to Provide Optimal Experiences for Both Narrowband and Broadband Subscribers

Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group and creator of the number one kids' entertainment and family community online destination (www.disney.com ), has unveiled a broadband version of Disney's Blast (www.disneysblast.com ), the premium online subscription service for kids that provides weekly updated educational and entertainment features. The new version features additional games, enhanced stories and richer sound effects, including a complete voiceover sound track and original scores, which are best experienced via a high-speed connection.
"Disney's Blast is now in its sixth year and with more of our subscribers making the switch to high-speed connections, we saw the opportunity to make this an even better service," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Online. "Now, we offer an even more substantial experience for those subscribers whose connection allows them to handle the fullest rich-media content. And because our guests can now select the edition they prefer, we were also able to rearchitect the product specifically for narrowband guests, and that version has been improved and optimized for faster loading as well."

Highlights of Disney's Blast broadband edition include:

• Voiceovers for every link and environment -- As children navigate through each room, a voice announces each activity and title as their mouse passes over it. This feature is especially useful for children who are not able to read.

• Sound effects and unique musical introductions -- All environments within Disney's Blast for broadband have unique musical introductions and silly sounds to enhance the subscriber's experience.

• New games -- Exclusive flash intensive games featuring more levels for advanced game play are available only on Disney's Blast for broadband. Titles include:
  
  Mickey's Robot Roundup
  Pinocchio Puppet Theater
  Goofy Track and Field
  Mickey's Moviemaker

When subscribers sign in to Disney's Blast, they are offered the choice of playing either the broadband or narrowband edition. The subscriber's connection speed is automatically detected, and language on the sign-in page recommends which version is optimal for the guest. Subscribers can toggle between the broadband and narrowband editions on the sign-in page at any time. The new Disney's Blast for broadband builds on enhancements made last year, including even more kid-friendly navigation, and upgrades to the "Villains' Lair" and "Supercade." Since that time, daily usage of the subscription service has doubled. Disney's Blast, the number one online club for kids, is an ad-free, immersive world for children ages 3-9, full of games, stories and activities that make learning fun. In Mouse House Jr., preschoolers play and learn with Mickey, Pooh and all of their favorite Disney characters. Disney's Blast Dome is where older kids can be challenged with action and strategy games. Disney's Blast also includes a Parents' Corner, where parents can quickly find age- appropriate activities and decide what is best for their children. Membership costs $49.95 annually, and includes a subscription to Disney Adventures magazine at no extra charge -- a retail value of $34.90 annually based on newsstand price. Free trial memberships are available at www.disneysblast.com .

Disney Online

Disney Online (www.disney.com ) produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destinations on the Internet that consistently reflect the magic that has come to be expected of Disney. Its "neighborhoods," specially designed for each member of the family, include Disney's Blast, a premium subscription service, as well as Shopping, Destinations, Playhouse Disney, Kids Island, Entertainment and Main Street Merchants.

Disney Online also produces FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com ), the premier online family resource for great ideas, practical advice and fun stuff to do, and Movies.com (www.movies.com ), a leading site that provides a broad array of reviews and information to help movie fans make the right choice on movie night. It is a part of The Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational Internet services for The Walt Disney Company's Internet initiatives.
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--Posted March 10, 2003
Source: Disney Online