Up was the top movie at the box office this weekend, bringing in $68.2 million which beats expectations. It was also screened at the El Capitan as part of the first D23 members-only event. Coincidence? I think not. While many of us have had our concerns about D23’s early moves, this event was a home run. It was everything a Disney fan event should be.
The best part was seeing the movie with fellow Disney fans. Folks that cheer when the Toy Story 3 trailer premiered, when they showed the Princess and the Frog trailer, and even to my surprise applaud when they screened the G-Force trailer. But the extra joy of getting to hear from Pixar’s good luck charm, John Ratzenberger as he thanked us for our support was an extra treat.. Also the free soda, popcorn, and pin weren’t bad bonuses considering the event was free. (I know I paid 75 bucks for the membership, but you know what I mean).
When it came to the movie, I enjoyed it. But it did have two of my favorite things; dogs and old people. The movie is unique which makes it hard to rank. Well actually it won’t be hard, we will just have to wait for the final box office numbers to come in to know where it ranks. I also enjoyed the short, Partly Cloudy. I like the shorts, they are like extra innings, frequent flier miles, or AMC First Look… a little bonus to the experience that comes with admission. I hope eventually all Disney movies have shorts attached.
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Quick Takes:
Parks and Resorts: I also attended the D23 event at Epcot to close out the Flower and Garden Festival. While the event had a smaller scope, it was still fun. Tony Orlando gave several shoutouts to D23, even wearing Mickey gloves to honor the fans. Also having some of Walt’s favorite desserts, like Chris’ Cold Pie was a nice touch for a fan event. I also can’t downplay the value of getting fast passes for Soarin’ when I checked in. We got a complete set of the D23 promotional buttons as we exited which has been a hidden dream for me. As far as I am concerned, D23 is two for two.
Media Networks: Disney Channel has renewed Sonny with a Chance for a second season and Hannah Montana for a fourth. More Sonny and Hannah? It’s like we are getting the best of both worlds.
Disney Interactive Media: Disney has completed the acquisition of parenting related websites from Kaboose Inc. Hope this is as successful as the Infoseek purchase.
Consumer Products: Disney Consumer Products has its largest presence this year at the Licensing Show. They will showcase their franchises like Winnie the Pooh. Did you know that they are making a new traditionally animated Pooh movie to be released in Spring 2010? Don’t get this mistaken with G-Force, that’s a different kind of pooh.
Video of the Day: The Jonas Brothers go behind the scenes of their Paranoid music video. Sorry folks, no trash can in sight.
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: The girl that was brought to Walt Disney World as part of an alleged abduction hoax said that the trip was fun. I am glad that even under bizarre circumstances, Disney World is the place where parents and children can have fun together.
NY Times: The New York Times reports on Up’s box office performance. I bet the New York Times wishes they made as much money as Up did. Sadly, they are broke. Maybe they wish THEY bought Pixar.
USA Today: USA Today looks at Pixar good luck charm and friend to D23, John Ratzenberger. Did you know he has made more than $3 billion? That’s like 4 DCAs.
LA Times: Auditions for season 9 of American Idol have been announced and it looks like you don’t have to take your dream ticket far. They will have auditions at the Orlando Pyramid July 7th to July 9th. So go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios then high tail it downtown.
Orlando Sentinel: The Orlando Sentinel asks if they have changed the direction of the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade. The answer is yes. It now steps off in Town Square. I feel special for scooping the Orlando Sentinel.
Variety: TV Azteca has reached an agreement with Disney to produce a version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire . Way to jump on a property when it is hot. Es que su respuesta final?