The Disney Cruise Line announced that the Disney Magic will be sailing to Russia, Northern Europe and Mediterranean in 2010 and the Disney Wonder will be going on 4 and 5 night sailings. It is no secret I love the Disney Cruise Line, but this is not really big news to me. While I do enjoy going to new locations, the true draw are the ships themselves. The Disney ships are what make the experience so special. The Disney entertainment and service creates the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement. I do not really care where the ships are going.
I am excited about one part of the announcement. A three day Disney Cruise is far too short. By increasing the length of the Wonder’s sailings they are creating a fuller experience. On a three-day cruise you feel like you go from the life boat drill to the disembarkation presentation, the extra day really does add to the experience.
So in the past month Disney Parks and Resorts has made announcements regarding Disney Vacation Club, the 2009 theme park marketing campaign, and the Disney Cruise Line. I wonder what is next from the segment. A few years ago, Jay Rasulo announced a desire to find new ways to extend their business. So far the Grand Hawaiian Resort is the only project announced. Maybe we will see another development in this arena soon. While the credit crunch might affect most companies, Disney has been accumulating cash and paying down it’s debt. Perhaps the great management of the last few years will help Disney grow in less than ideal circumstances.
Quick Takes:
Studio Entertainment: Sleeping Beauty is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray. This is the first Blu-Ray to get the complete Disney arsenal of features such as Disney BD Live which allows viewers to communicate together. They promote the release to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the film. Some might be confused since the film was release in 1959 and you might think you are in 2008. Well you would be wrong! The fiscal year was a few days ago so as far as Disney is concerned it is 2009. Therefore it is appropriate to celebrate 50 years of Sleeping Beauty.
Media Networks: To promote the premiere of “Life on Mars” on Thursday, ABC.com will go retro and look like it is from 1973. I am excited! I can’t wait for Pirates of the Caribbean to open at Walt Disney World! It only took them two years.
Consumer Products: I had some Disney branded grapes today. They taste better than regular grapes, but not as good as Disney branded junk food. I miss the good old days when Disney allowed itself to market tasty and unhealthy snacks. Those were they days.
Disney Interactive Media: On Saturday, October 11th, Kentaro Hisai will be at the Mitsukoshi store in the Japan Pavilion signing the game he helped design; Spectrobes 2: Beyond the Portal. It is great to see synergy working at Epcot, even though Disney does not operate Mitsukoshi. It is hard enough getting Disney to work with itself, but this time they even involved an outsourced partner. Way to go Disney…I am impressed.
What to Watch: I hear that they have been having a lot of “What Will You Celebrate” commercials during Dancing with the Stars. So if you haven’t seen any yet, check it out on ABC at 8ET.
Video of the Day: Watch this video from the Disney Cruise Line where Tom McAlpin, President of the Disney Cruise Line discusses the 2010 itineraries. Sign me up!
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: Be glad that what happens in this clip does not happen at Disney theme parks.
NY Times: EBay is trimming its workforce by 10 percent of its 16,000 employees as they tighten their belts. Of course I believe this is directly related to Ebay giving up on Disney Auctions. If they had kept that relationship going, they might be able to keep growing until they controlled everything on the internet. (Of course this does not include anything Disney owns.)
USA Today: USA Today has video from Miley Cyrus’s 16th birthday party at Disneyland. I wonder if she practiced driving at Autopia.
LA Times: The LA Times reports that West Hollywood is considering sanctions on the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard after a series of violent incidents. It makes me wonder if the Downtown Disney’s have challenges with their Houses of Blues. If they do, how do they deal with it?
Orlando Sentinel: The Orlando Sentinel spends a few moments with Wine Library’s Gary Vaynerchuk before he hits Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival. I really couldn’t care less. While I enjoy the food part of the festival, I really don’t care about the wine part. Who needs expensive wine when you can get all soda you need for free at Club Cool. (I don’t need a website to tell me Beverly is bad).
Variety: Variety’s Season Pass blog has an interview with Ugly Betty’s producer Silvio Horta. It seems like this show is getting a lot of press in its third year. Usually shows get some ink its first and second year, but it is odd to get some much attention after becoming established with average ratings. ABC was smart to move the production to New York and take advantage of their tax incentive program. It is getting this “bubble” show attention, it probably wouldn’t be getting otherwise. Still doesn’t mean I’ll watch it though.