Feld Entertainment and Disney announced that the next production of Disney on Ice will be, Worlds of Fantasy. If you are wondering what will be a part of this show, just look at the franchises that are important to Disney Consumer Products. Disney On Ice will give us our first glimpse in to the world of Pixie Hallow and Disney Fairies. We will also visit the world of Radiator Springs and Cars. Also the pantheon of Disney princesses will play a part including the first ever Disney on Ice preshow where you can see enchanting gowns and Disney Princess mementos.
Since 2001, Disney has taken a more active role in the production of Disney on Ice which is licensed to Feld who also produces the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus. They want to improve the quality of the shows as well as make sure the shows fit in with Disney’s goal of creating long-lasting franchises. Their Princess Wishes and High School Musical shows obviously fit in to this strategy. But this new show seems particularly commercial as it comes across as Andy Mooney’s dream come true. It might of well has been named Disney Consumer Products on Ice. But is that a bad thing?
I am sure the show will be good and it will feature characters that are relevant to Disney’s core audience. I for one can’t wait to see it when it performs at the Pyramid in Orlando. I already have tickets. Though no matter how good the show is, it can’t possibly be as good as Feld’s other property. As much as I love Disney, how can you compete against “the greatest show on earth”. It is technically impossible to be better than the greatest. Good thing the circus has become an annual tradition for us as well.
Quick Takes:
Media Networks: For the record, ABC was last place with their airing of “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” as part of The Wonderful World of Disney on Saturday night. Remember when they stopped making direct-to-video sequels because it weakened the brand? Perhaps they should have done the same thing with Lindsey Lohan movies.
Parks and Resorts: Doobie has an interview with the Vice President of Downtown Disney, Kevin Lansberry. It is interesting, so check it out.
Consumer Products: Everyone needs to go to Wal-Mart. Not because of their great service or low prices, but because that is where you can get your 3D glasses to watch the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert on Disney Channel July 26. While you are there you can pick up a bunch of Hannah Montana stuff, since Wal-Mart is the Hannah Montana Headquarters. What a coincidence!
Disney Interactive Media: Disney.com is hosting “Disney’s Ultimate Broadway Sweepstakes”. You can win roundtrip airfare to New York City, 3 nights hotel accommodations, tickets to Marry Poppins, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King, and an exclusive backstage tour of the New Amsterdam Theatre. You can enter now by clicking here.
What to Watch: Nothing. There is nothing on TV worth watching Thursday. Read a good book. Go outside and play. Dress in drag and do the hula. Do whatever you want for there is nothing on TV.
Video of the Day: Rebekah pointed me to this video of the day. I was unaware of how much trouble we will be in if we don’t start conserving Miley Cyrus. This report really opened up my eyes.
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: ABC News reports on fireworks causing seizures. Thanks ABC News for showing the dark side of one of Disney’s signature offerings. What’s the point of owning a news company if you can’t control the news? Seesh.
NY Times: The New York Times reports on the state of InBev’s attempt to acquire Anheuser-Busch. If the beer company is acquired, InBev would probably sell of their theme parks. In order to make InBev’s offer less attractive, Anheuser-Busch has a plan to save up to $1 billion is costs. One has to wonder how much of these costs will be saved by the theme parks. I am glad I don’t work at SeaWorld right now. Either way, the pressure to contain costs must be strong.
USA Today: Two former Disney employees will be reuniting. Dan Patrick will be joining Keith Olbermann on NBC’s Sunday Night Football program. The former “Big Show” hosts will be teammates with former ABC Sports personality, Al Michaels. Al Michaels is best known for being the guy we traded to get Oswald back. That was truly a miracle.
LA Times: The LA Times reports that Lindsey Lohan spent her 22nd birthday at Disneyland. “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” was on ABC over the weekend, so the last thing I want to see is ANYTHING involving LiLo
Orlando Sentinel: Hurricane season has started. Bertha became the first hurricane of the season. While it will probably not hit the United States, it just is a reminder that you never know if one might develop that could hit Orlando.
Variety: Variety reports on a Lehman Brothers analysis that media companies should have lower stock prices because of the threat of digital consumption. I hope Disney proves them wrong when they announce their earnings on July 30th. Just like they did last quarter by proving that Citi Bank has no clue as to what they are talking about.