Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Disney Gives Record 251,000 VoluntEAR Hours and $28.5 Million to Central Florida
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 12, 2010 – Highlighting the many ways that
“
As the largest single private employment site in the United States,
In 2009,
In 2009,
The momentum continued earlier this year through “Give a Day. Get a
Eco-Friendly Actions Make Big Impact
In 2009, The
Central Florida Charities “Shine On” With
Celebrating those who work tirelessly to build better futures for Central Florida’s children,
“
More than 170 local charities applied for 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Video: Tokyo Disneyland Pooh's Hunny Hunt
What a great Dark Ride I would put it at the Top of my List as the Best
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Eddie Carroll, voice of Jiminy Cricket and Jack Benny impersonator, dies at 76
Eddie Carroll, an actor who for decades gave voice to Jiminy Cricket in Disney projects and impersonated Jack Benny in a noted one-man stage show, has died. He was 76.
Carroll died Tuesday from a brain tumor at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, said his wife, Carolyn.
"He was so proud to do both roles," his wife said. "He just admired the whole fantasy of Jiminy Cricket, and he loved the man . . . who wasJack Benny ."
In 1973, Carroll became only the second actor to voice the cricket, who was the title character's conscience in the 1940 animated film "Pinocchio ."
Before auditioning, Carroll studied Jiminy's signature song, "When You Wish Upon a Star," sung by Cliff Edwards, who died in 1971. The Canadian-born Carroll realized that he needed to adopt a Midwestern accent.
His agent did "back flips" when Carroll got the part, he told the Dayton (Ohio)Daily News in 2008. "He knew the role was a cottage industry. . . . There's something practically every month -- a singalong film, computer game, recording as spokesman for Disney on Ice, a show at Disneyland or Disney World."
No one else has voiced aDisney character for as long as Carroll did, said Rick Dempsey, senior vice president of Disney 's Character Voices division.
"He totally was Jiminy Cricket," Dempsey said. "He really took what the character was into his own heart and in a sense lived that in his own life. He also was one of the bestJack Benny impersonators on the planet."
When a crew member on a 1982 film set dropped a prop that ruined a scene, Carroll broke the tension by bursting out with a trademark Benny line, "Oh, for heaven's sake, Rochester!" and "everybody laughed," he later recalled.
It led to him being cast in the one-man show, "A Small Eternity WithJack Benny ," which opened in 1983 in Santa Monica .
After touring in that show for a year, he wrote his own tribute, "Jack Benny : Laughter in Bloom," and continued appearing as the comedian, who died in 1974, until late last year. He often toured six months a year.
Los Angeles magazine's reaction to the show in the 1990s was typical: "Before our eyes, he truly becomes the legendary comedian."
Laura Leff, president of the International Jack Benny Fan Club, told The Times: "Jack's humor is based so much around character, and Eddie was able to re-create that in a very authentic way. It was the next best thing to having Jack himself there."
Eddie Eleniak was born Sept. 5, 1933, in Edmonton, Canada, and acted in high school alongside another student, Robert Goulet.
A bout with polio was not that far behind him when Carroll came to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s with Goulet as part of an NBC talent program.
Soon after moving to the U.S., Carroll served in the Army. For two years, he wrote and produced shows for Armed Forces Radio and Television.
When his mother suggested he needed a simpler last name, he adopted "Carroll" for a favorite aunt.
In an acting class after the war, he met Jamie Farr, who would appear in the TV series "MASH ." They formed a production company in the 1960s that developed a number of projects for networks and studios.
"We were like brothers, and we still are," Carroll said in 2005 in the Toledo (Ohio)Blade .
Carroll had appeared in more than 200 commercials, , and was a regular on the early 1970s variety program "The Don Knotts Show."
To convincingly portray Benny, Carroll taught himself to play violin and joked with a Times reporter in 1999: "Thank goodness Benny wasn't a great violinist or I'd be in trouble."
After walking onstage as Benny, he would put the violin down and drolly say, "Don't look so relieved; I play it later."
Actress Erika Eleniak of TV's "Baywatch" is his niece.
For almost 37 years, he lived in Encino with Carolyn, whom he married in 1963.
He is also survived by his children, Tia Monti and Leland Carroll; and two brothers, Bob Elen and Dale Eleniak, all of Los Angeles.
source Los Angeles Times.
Carroll died Tuesday from a brain tumor at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, said his wife, Carolyn.
"He was so proud to do both roles," his wife said. "He just admired the whole fantasy of Jiminy Cricket, and he loved the man . . . who was
In 1973, Carroll became only the second actor to voice the cricket, who was the title character's conscience in the 1940 animated film "
Before auditioning, Carroll studied Jiminy's signature song, "When You Wish Upon a Star," sung by Cliff Edwards, who died in 1971. The Canadian-born Carroll realized that he needed to adopt a Midwestern accent.
His agent did "back flips" when Carroll got the part, he told the Dayton (Ohio)
No one else has voiced a
"He totally was Jiminy Cricket," Dempsey said. "He really took what the character was into his own heart and in a sense lived that in his own life. He also was one of the best
When a crew member on a 1982 film set dropped a prop that ruined a scene, Carroll broke the tension by bursting out with a trademark Benny line, "Oh, for heaven's sake, Rochester!" and "everybody laughed," he later recalled.
It led to him being cast in the one-man show, "A Small Eternity With
After touring in that show for a year, he wrote his own tribute, "
Los Angeles magazine's reaction to the show in the 1990s was typical: "Before our eyes, he truly becomes the legendary comedian."
Laura Leff, president of the International Jack Benny Fan Club, told The Times: "Jack's humor is based so much around character, and Eddie was able to re-create that in a very authentic way. It was the next best thing to having Jack himself there."
Eddie Eleniak was born Sept. 5, 1933, in Edmonton, Canada, and acted in high school alongside another student, Robert Goulet.
A bout with polio was not that far behind him when Carroll came to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s with Goulet as part of an NBC talent program.
Soon after moving to the U.S., Carroll served in the Army. For two years, he wrote and produced shows for Armed Forces Radio and Television.
When his mother suggested he needed a simpler last name, he adopted "Carroll" for a favorite aunt.
In an acting class after the war, he met Jamie Farr, who would appear in the TV series "
"We were like brothers, and we still are," Carroll said in 2005 in the Toledo (Ohio)
Carroll had appeared in more than 200 commercials, , and was a regular on the early 1970s variety program "The Don Knotts Show."
To convincingly portray Benny, Carroll taught himself to play violin and joked with a Times reporter in 1999: "Thank goodness Benny wasn't a great violinist or I'd be in trouble."
After walking onstage as Benny, he would put the violin down and drolly say, "Don't look so relieved; I play it later."
Actress Erika Eleniak of TV's "Baywatch" is his niece.
For almost 37 years, he lived in Encino with Carolyn, whom he married in 1963.
He is also survived by his children, Tia Monti and Leland Carroll; and two brothers, Bob Elen and Dale Eleniak, all of Los Angeles.
source Los Angeles Times.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Video: Check out the New D Street store Downtown Disney from MagicCityMayhem
A new store at Downtown
More great video's at http://www.youtube.com/user/MagicCityMayhem
Friday, April 9, 2010
Disney Cruise Line and Michelin-starred Chef Create Perfect Pairing with French-inspired Remy On the Disney Dream
CELEBRATION, Fla. – In an exquisite, top-deck restaurant with incredible ocean views,
Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise, a Michelin two-star restaurant just outside Reims, France, and Chef Scott Hunnel from award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at
Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek of Victoria & Albert’s at
French-trained Chef Patrick Albert, executive chef for Remy, oversees an all-star culinary
“Remy, a first-of-its-kind onboard experience, takes
Dinner at Remy is a lavish and leisurely affair, starting with a signature chilled Champagne cocktail made tableside, followed by eight to nine small courses complemented by a stellar wine list. Lallement’s cuisine is simple and stylish, such as roasted lobster with cream, and fresh asparagus with black truffles and vin jaune. It earns l’Assiette Champenoise two stars (of a possible three) from Michelin, making the experience “excellent cooking and worth a detour.” Hunnel’s innovative dishes offer small tastes of everything from wild caviar to Kobe beef and Japanese Wagyu strip loin. His cuisine earns Victoria & Albert’s the coveted AAA Five Diamonds, a rating accorded a mere 0.19 percent of restaurants in North America and the Caribbean.
Polished touches at Remy include a tableside trolley for serving international cheeses, decanting stations for wines, and post-prandial coffee service including French press and grand crème.
With a subtle nod to the hit
Tables are elegantly set with Frette linens, Riedel glassware, Christofle silverware and china made exclusively for Remy, with gracious accents such as purse stools for women’s handbags. The attentive serving staff is part of the sophisticated story, dressed in long white aprons, black jackets or burgundy vests, and bow ties. “From the moment our guests walk through the door, they are seamlessly transported to a fine French dining experience,” said Balli.
The private Chef’s Table dining room seats 16 and offers a glimpse into the kitchen. The room is furnished with rich “
A glass-walled wine room with marble flooring has seating for up to 16 guests amid more than 900 bottles of wine including a fine rare selection of Old World wines balanced with a solid selection of New World wines. Once dinner is booked and guests are on board, they are invited to meet with a sommelier in Remy’s wine room to taste and pre-select their wines for the evening.
To learn more about
Video: Frontierland Hoedown Happening at Magic Kingdom Park
It has been part of the park experience over the years- The Frontierland Hoedown Happening is the latest installmentand you can be part of the show!
The action begins without notice at
When the last song ends, the Frontierland performers thank everyone for joining in and go back to their business — until a Frontierland Hoedown Happening happens again. Have you experienced it yet?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Video: Sweet Sunday at the Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival
If the video makes your sweet tooth ache for more, here are some details to help you decide which event will satisfy your craving.
- Date: Sundays, April 18, May 2, 16, 23 (other dates are sold out)
- Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Location: Festival Showplace, Hollywood Pictures Backlot,
Disney ’s California Adventure park - Price: $70 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. You can book online and check the latest information at disneyland.com/foodandwine.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Space Shuttle Discovery Soars Over Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Yet Another Bus Crash at Walt Disney World
LAKE BUENA VISTA -- A Disney bus driver is now facing charges crashing into an SUV.
Officials said the crash was not as severe as Thursday’s deadlyDisney crash that killed a 9-year-old boy.
TheFlorida Highway Patrol said the latest accident happened late Saturday morning, when the bus rear-ended an Ohio man’s SUV at World Drive and Buena Vista Drive, near the entrance to Disney ’s Hollywood Studios.
The SUV was then pushed into aDisney -owned van.
Troopers said the impact in Saturday’s crash was minor, but the bus driver, identified as Fredrick Cassens, 80, of Auburndale, needed some medical assistance.
Officials said Cassens did not have to go to the hospital.
Cassens has been charged with careless driving.
The other drivers were identified as Mark Sigman, 47, of Ohio, in the SUV; and Brianna Berry, 20, of Texas, driving the van.
The latest bus accident atWalt Disney World comes just two days after Chase Brubaker, 9, died after he was run over by a bus Thursday while riding his bicycle at Disney ’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
Troopers said Chase’s bike swerved into the road and hit the bus, but the boy’s parents said Friday thatDisney was to blame for the death of their son.
Source: http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/4/3/another_disney_bus_involved_in_crash.html
Officials said the crash was not as severe as Thursday’s deadly
The
The SUV was then pushed into a
Troopers said the impact in Saturday’s crash was minor, but the bus driver, identified as Fredrick Cassens, 80, of Auburndale, needed some medical assistance.
Officials said Cassens did not have to go to the hospital.
Cassens has been charged with careless driving.
The other drivers were identified as Mark Sigman, 47, of Ohio, in the SUV; and Brianna Berry, 20, of Texas, driving the van.
The latest bus accident at
Troopers said Chase’s bike swerved into the road and hit the bus, but the boy’s parents said Friday that
Source: http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/4/3/another_disney_bus_involved_in_crash.html
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Suicides shock France's Disney park
By Cheryl Roussel in Paris
source : http://www.independent.co.uk
Disneyland Paris is investigating after two park employees committed suicide in the past six weeks, under working conditions which a trade union described as "humiliating".
A Eurodisney chef hanged himself at his home near Paris last Friday, on the same day he was due to return to work after a period of sick leave. According to the Disneyland branch of the trade union federation, Force Ouvrière, the worker, in his 40s, had told colleagues he wanted to leave his job because he was struggling with demands to "increase figures with fewer resources".
Disneyland Paris directors have denied the suicide was work-related and said that it should not be made "a symbol of something it isn't." It added that the chef had been "highly appreciated by his managers" and well-integrated with fellow employees.
The company has organised a meeting with the chef's fellow employees to discuss the suicide and its possible causes.
Trade union representative, Mary Lyn Lesueur, acknowledged the man's personal problems contributed to his death but insisted that, "it's certain that there is a real management problem at Disney ".
The worker was not the first Disneyland chef to commit suicide in recent weeks. On 21 February a 30-year-old chef de partie (line cook) from the park threw himself in front of a train after working in conditions which a trade union spokesman called "humiliating".
Only the day before, a 22-year-old employee had threatened to commit suicide within the park itself. Disneyland directors immediately voted to open an investigation to "identify possible factors of stress or harassment" which could have led to the first suicide.
Stress-related suicides became a much-discussed issue in France last year after it was revealed that France Télécom had been hit by a spate of suicides. Trade union leaders blamed job cuts and a brutal management culture at the company, where at least 44 members of staff have taken their own lives since 2008.
The French government approved Eurodisney's approach to work-related stress just days before the first suicide.
Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea Visitors Down 5.2% In FY09
- "
Disney 's Easter Wonderland"
The fall was attributed to a deadly flu outbreak and the fact that visitor numbers were bumped up in fiscal 2008 because that year marked the 25th anniversary of Tokyo
However, the figure exceeded the