High School Musical 3 comes to theaters in less than 24 hours. This film is a Disney event, the likes of which we have never seen. We have seen events at our parks surrounding attraction openings and celebration kick-offs. We have seen movie events surrounding the latest animated features. And we have seen nostalgic events that transport us back to Walt’s day. But we have never seen an event of this magnitude that comes from Disney Channel.
I have often talked about how we need to broaden our ideas of what Disney encompasses and I have no doubt that the performance of this film will make everyone see my point. Disney is cool and High School Musical and its ilk are a big reason why. While initial reaction by traditional fans might not like this change, is it any different than Walt capitalizing on the Mickey Mouse Club and Annette? Maybe a little but in the end High School Musical is not as un-Disney as you might thing. Isn’t Disney really about creating entertainment that the whole family can enjoy?
I recently returned from The Disneyland Resort and sitting next to me was a mom and her daughter. (First class has changed as well). The mom found out that I know my Disney and started asking me all of these questions about High School Musical. This clued her daughter in who started asking me as well. At first I was a little annoyed because I really didn’t have the answers she wanted (Zac Efron does not live at Walt Disney World, and no I don’t know why), but then I saw how this mom and daughter were enjoying something Disney together. I hope they enjoy the movie together and create memories that will rekindle something special when they are recalled decades from now. You can’t tell me that’s not Disney magic.
Quick Takes:
Parks and Resorts: It looks like the Midway Games in Paradise Pier will be closing on October 27th for their new themes and exteriors to be installed and are anticipated to reopen next spring. On my recent trip to the Disneyland Resort, I dropped by the new Blue Sky Cellar and was very impressed. They really did a much better job than I was expecting. But I couldn’t help be struck by one thing (Ouch). While I am thrilled about all the attention being given to DCA, I wonder what lies ahead for Disneyland. I guess only time will tell.
Media Networks: Hola! Disney Channel has ordered a third season of Handy Manny for Playhouse Disney. While I can’t say I am a huge Playhouse Disney expert, I know I will be soon. Uncle Fan Boy will love watching Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse Club House with Doobekah’s little bundle of joy.
Consumer Products: Disney Consumer Products released their annual “Most Wanted” holiday toys list featuring item for girls, boys, tots, and tweens. My personal pick for most interesting are the internet connect Club Penguin toys. This new addition to the Disney family has won me over and I am glad Disney is starting to use them outside of their virtual world. The toys will be available at ClubPenguin.com, DisneyShopping.com, Disney Store, Disney Theme Parks and Toys“R”Us (where is my backwards ‘R” key).
Disney Interactive Media: Disney Interactive Studios is releasing a bunch of games to promote High School Musical. High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! is available for the Wii and High School Musical 3: Senior Year is available for the Nintendo DS with other platforms coming soon. Disney is also releasing Disney Sing It for the Wii, Xbox 260, PS2, and PS3 which will allow folks to sing along with Disney Channel songs. I hate to admit it….they sound like fun.
What to Watch: Any question? Game 2 of the World Series on FOX. GO RAYS!!!
Video of the Day: The Disney Parks don’t want to be left out of the High School Musical phenomenon, so they will be premiering High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!, at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But don’t get to excited, this video does not feature any actual footage from the current show (or the second edition for that matter).
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: For those of you that want to visit an international Disney park or take an Adventure by Disney, 2009 might be your year. ABC News is reporting that international airfare is expected to be more affordable in 2009 as carriers make more seats available to international destinations. Disneyland Paris, here I come!
NY Times: Disney’s cousin Apple is causing some havoc with former Disney sponsor AT&T. Ma Bell paid $900 million, or 10 cents a share, to Apple as part of a deal to market the new iPhone. But this is not really a bad thing for the telecommunications giant as this larger than expected payment is the result of larger than expected iPhone sales which will end up helping AT&T in the end as the consumers have to fulfill their two-year contract. But I am not switching. I have not forgiven them from abandoning Spaceship Earth!
USA Today: USA Today discusses expectations for High School Musical’s first big-screen outing. Oren Aviv says he will be happy with a pull that equals that of Mamma Mia and Hairspray. I have a feeling Oren will be plenty happy as I expect High School Musical will bring in the combined total of Mamma Mia and Hairspray.
LA Times: The LA Times reports on Pixie Hollow which replaces Triton’s Gardens at Disneyland. The new meet and greet location at the former site of the House of the Future will soft-open on Friday and will give you a glimpse in to the world of the fairies. Ariel fans needn’t fret. She will grow legs and be at Princess Fantasy Faire and don’t forget she is getting her own ride at DCA.
Orlando Sentinel: Apparently former Belle, Toni Braxton, was kicked off Dancing with the Stars. I guess I’ll have to pick one of the other Disney related stars to cheer for. Of course it might help if I watched the show.
Variety: Looks like we get to talk about labor negotiations again! Aren’t we lucky. SAG and AMPTP are expected to restart negotiations with the help of a federal mediator. Of course this really is not big news unless one of the party changes its tune. And I don’t expect the producers want to give SAG a better bdeal than they gave other unions especially since the economy has turned south since then. I guess we will just have to keep waiting and see how this will all shake down. Isn’t this fun….sigh…..