Disney News Stories
February 2013

Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris Announces Ride Based on Ratatouille - (DL) (2/28/2013)

During the group’s annual shareholder meeting on 28 February, Euro Disney Chairman Philippe Gas announced plans for the continued development of Disneyland Paris, with the addition of a new attraction based on the hit Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille. 

First-Ever D23 Expo Japan To Be Held October 12-14, 2013 - (DL) (2/25/2013)

The Walt Disney Company Japan announced today that it will stage the first-ever D23 Expo Japan, a special event for Disney fans created by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. D23 Expo Japan, the first Expo to be held outside the U.S., will feature an array of engaging presentations, hosted by senior Disney creative executives, showcasing what’s on the horizon from across The Walt Disney Company, including theme parks, movies, television, music, and interactive gaming. Fans will enjoy unique experiences; have the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind merchandise and collectibles; meet many of their favorite Disney characters; and delight in countless other surprises. D23 Expo Japan will take place October 12–14, 2013, at the Tokyo Disney Resort^® in the Maihama area. Expo ticketing and program information will be announced in March.

IBM THINK Exhibit Opens at Innoventions at Epcot - (DL) (2/21/2013)

In celebration of National Engineers Week, IBM (NYSE: IBM) teamed up with Orlando-area high school teachers and students today to unveil IBM THINK, a new interactive experience in INNOVENTIONS West at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort. The 6,600 square-foot interactive exhibit is designed to showcase how the world can work better with the help of technology and innovation.  The THINK experience presented by IBM explores how technology transforms the way we live and work.

Valentines Renew Their Love at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday - (DL) (2/15/2013)

(Feb. 14, 2013) — Dozens of couples came together on Thursday to renew their love amidst colorful fanfare in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. Cinderella and Prince Charming, Aurora and Prince Philip and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse joined in the ceremony hosted by the Major Domo. This one day ceremony is just one of the experiences planned during True Love Week taking place through Feb. 17 at Magic Kingdom theme park- all part of Limited Time Magic.

Through Feb. 17, guests can enjoy Cinderella Castle bathed in hues of pink, red, lavender and blue with themed lighting synced to romantic musical melodies.   There’s candlelit dinners for two with prix fixe menus at select restaurants during the most romantic week of the year; limited-edition pins,  newly-designed apparel and Vinylmation available at select merchandise locations.

Couples can feel the romance at every turn, as banners proclaiming True Love, heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn Magic Kingdom, plus the rare opportunity to get a photo with Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses to enchanting character greeting locations. Limited Time Magic throughout 2013 includes 52 weeks of magical experiences – big and small —  for guests, ranging from park-wide events to special culinary treats to special moments of surprise and delight.

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Disney Cruise Line Unveils New 2014 Itineraries and Ports - (DL) (2/12/2013)

In 2014, Disney Cruise Line will offer new itineraries, including an expanded collection of European cruises highlighting the Greek Isles. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will depart for the first time from homeports in Venice, Italy and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Actor James Franco Named Grand Marshal for 55th Annual Daytona 500 - (DL) (2/8/2013)

James Franco, star of the Disney fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” which is scheduled for release on March 8, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 55^th running of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Daytona International Speedway.  The race is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX and will also be broadcasted on FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Sofia The First Soundtrack Debuts on Feb 12 - (DL) (2/8/2013)

Walt Disney Records announces the Sofia the First soundtrack now available for pre-order on Amazon. The soundtrack features 11 songs from the hit Disney Junior animated television series "Sofia The First," which premiered in January 2013 and became the #1 preschool series launch in cable TV history in Girls 2-5, Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49, plus 2 bonus tracks from the Disney Junior 's record-breaking animated television movie "Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess."  Ariel Winter ("Modern Family") brings the newest princess to life in each song. The album also includes songs performed by Wayne Brady (Clover), Sabrina Carpenter (Vivian) and Darcy Rose Byrnes (Amber).  Sofia the First is available nationwide February 12, 2013.

Disney Mulan and Lady and the Tramp at Disney's El Capitan Theatre in Feb and Mar - (DL) (2/8/2013)

Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre is thrilled to present an exclusive engagement of Disney “Mulan” February 8-March 6, 2013, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, the annual, exclusive engagement of Disney “Lady and the Tramp” February 14-18 at 7 pm (“Mulan” continues at 10am, 1 pm and 4 pm), it was announced today by Lylle Breier, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Special Events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Guests can also enjoy “Mulan” with the upcoming ‘Mulan 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray Combo Pack’ which includes both “Mulan” and “Mulan II” that will available nationwide March 12th.

Disney In-Home Movie Release Schedule Update - (DL) (2/7/2013)

Disney has released their latest scheduled of release dates for their in-home slate.

Disney Unveils Collection of Products Inspired by Disney�s Oz The Great and Powerful - (DL) (2/6/2013)

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) has unveiled its newest film-inspired product collection based on the highly anticipated Oz The Great and Powerful, in theaters March 8^th. In collaboration with leading brands including CDI, Jem, Sue Wong, Joe Vilaiwan, Jerome C. Rousseau, Tollytots and more, the product collection spans couture fashions, apparel, designer shoes, accessories, limited edition costumes and toys inspired by the film starring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Zach Braff.

Superstar Mariah Carey Records "Almost Home" For Disney's Oz The Great and Powerful - (DL) (2/6/2013)

Disney announced today that multiple GRAMMY® Award–winning superstar Mariah Carey has recorded the song, “Almost Home,” for “Oz The Great and Powerful,” the studio’s highly anticipated fantastical adventure, directed by Sam Raimi, releasing in theaters nationwide on March 8, 2013.

Cond� Nast Traveler Readers Name Disney Cruise Line Ships Top Three Large Cruise Ships - (DL) (2/1/2013)

 

All four ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet were recognized among the top large cruise ships in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Readers’ Poll.  The Disney Magic ranked No. 1 among Condé Nast Traveler readers, with a score of 89.9, with the Disney Wonder and Disney Dream close behind at 89.6 and 89.5 respectively.  The newest ship to the fleet, the Disney Fantasy, debuted less than one year ago, and scored 84.8 on the poll, ranking it No. 8. More than46,000 participating Condé Nast Traveler readers rated 376 ships on a 100-point scale. Each ship was evaluated on seven criteria: Activities/ Facilities, Cabins, Crew/Service, Design/Layout, Food/Dining, Itineraries/Schedule and Shore Excursions. “With four ships in our fleet, more families than ever before can set sail on an a Disney Cruise Line vacation filled with imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “We’re thrilled that the experiences our cast and crew members deliver at sea continue to be recognized as outstanding by our guests.”