AllEars® Team Blog

On a recent trip, All Ears team members Mike Scopa and Michelle Scribner-MacLean held a small meet in the Tomorrowland Noodle Station. About 30 friends gathered to meet, take some photos, and chat about all things Disney.

There were even a few surprises. The newest All Ears team member, Mike Bachand (a.k.a. Dizney Mike) showed up to say hello.

WDW Today and Studios Central host, Matt Hochberg, popped in with his lovely wife, Marissa.

One of the special surprises was that three members of Team All Ears running team showed up to meet Mike and Michelle, who are serving as co-captains of the team. Amanda McKittrick Gonzales and Tracy Hughes Sabotin made it to the Noodle Station and Holly Aulen met us earlier in the day for a Dole Whip.

These ladies are part of our 50-person team who are all running a Disney race in January to raise money for Deb Wills’ Avon Breast Cancer fund. The team meets virtually via a Facebook page, but it was a real treat to meet them in person.

Thanks for coming to say hello, everyone!!

by Debra Martin Koma
AllEars® Senior Editor

The other day, I had the chance to speak with Marianne Hunnel, manager of culinary programs for the upcoming Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. I asked her if she could "spill the beans," so to speak, about what we can expect at the annual 45-day eating and drinking extravaganza, which runs this year from September 25 through November 8.

"I'm really excited about this year's festival,"Hunnel stated. "We have such an exciting lineup of chefs and programs."

Hunnel, who, along with her husband, Victoria and Albert's chef Scott, just celebrated her 20th year with Disney, noted that they are still adding the final touches to many of the events scheduled for this year's festival. She did, however, share many, if not all, details of what's to come.

What's New?

"We're going to have three new kiosks around World Showcase," Hunnel said, referring to the international food booths scattered amidst the country pavilions around World Showcase Lagoon. "The first will be right as you enter World Showcase, and it will feature desserts and champagne. You can arrive at the festival and toast the day along with maybe a Grand Marnier parfait. Then if you're hungry for real you can move to straight to another new kiosk -- Rio de Janeiro, from Brazil."

The other new kiosk this year is Thailand, featuring samples of savory Thai food paired with, not wine, but beer.

"We've found that in many countries wine isn't necessarily as popular," Hunnel noted. "And it's sometimes not the best pairing with the food."

While there won't be any big "experiences" around World Showcase, like last year's Louisiana or Australia exhibits, there will be several additions that offer more than just the samples you'll find at the food booths. For example, the Edy's Ice Cream Experience will offer a variety of flavors and interactive activities. The Italian region of Puglia will also be represented for all 45 days of the festival. Located near the Italy pavilion, of course, you'll find demonstrations there on pasta-making and tastings, including tastings of Puglia-produced olive oil, which Hunnel claimed is "incredible in flavor -- fruity, sweet, the aromas." My mouth was watering as she waxed poetic -- I do so love food.

Hunnel also said that by the time the festival starts the new lounge, Cava del Tequila, will be open in the Mexico pavilion, and it will be the site of tequila tastings each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"Spirits seem to be making a comeback," she noted. "There's a timeless tradition, obviously, of people enjoying spirits, but it seems that they are gaining in popularity again. Some guests at the festival like to explore different tastes like this, particularly when the people who crafted the beverages are present. It's an educational journey."

Also in Mexico, at least for part of the festival (the specific dates have yet to be determined) there will be chefs and demonstrations courtesy of the Mexican Tourist Board.

One program the Hunnel said she was very excited about is the new Celebrating with Family and Friends in the Kitchen. The concept is that a celebrity chef will prepare a three-course lunch for the audience, alongside one of their friends, another chef, or perhaps even a family member. The tentative schedule of these lunches is listed below.

What's Returning?

Although last year's experimental venture City Tastes is not returning, the ever-popular Party for the Senses will again be featured every Saturday, adopting at least one aspect of City Tastes -- a weekly theme.

"Each week, we'll be celebrating something," Hunnel noted, "from Comfort Foods with a Twist to Classical Cuisine presented in a new way." (Hunnel detailed the themes for each weekend, which I've listed at the end of this blog, along with other info she shared with me about other programs.)

The Party will, however, feature a new twist this year -- an exclusive Wine View Lounge, available for an additional fee, will give a limited number of guests the chance to partake of special amenities: a secluded area; private, reserved tables; and special menu items.

"Guests have expressed a desire to have an exclusive area like this," Hunnel noted. "We think this will be the place to see and be seen."

Also returning are the popular Sweet Sundays brunches, during which a celebrity chef prepares a variety of desserts after guests have a light brunch. Programs like Authors without Borders, the Wine School and other signature dining events, will also return. The Cheese Tastings are being offered again as well, although they'll be starting a little earlier than in previous years -- 10:30 a.m. Hmm, wine and cheese first thing in the morning -- Breakfast of Champions? Could be, could be...

Hunnel said that the final schedule, complete with dates, times and prices, should be available online at disneyworld.com within the next 5-10 days, but here are some specifics that she could share with me:

Celebrating Friends and Family in the Kitchen

• September 26 The Deen Brothers (Jamie and Bobby, sons of Food Network's Paula Deen)

• October 2 Suvir Saran

• October 9 Patti LaBelle (yes, the singer -- she has a cookbook out!)

• October 16 Dean Max and Paula DaSilva

• October 23 Alan Wong with Art Smith

• October 30 Cat Cora (possibly with her mother)

• November 6 Andrea Immer Robinson, M.S. - With husband John Robinson

Party for the Senses

• September 26 – Spanish cuisine/wines (chef Douglas Rodriguez will be on hand this week)

• October 3 – Comfort Foods with a Twist (think macaroni and cheese made with artisanal cheeses and homemade pasta)

• October 10 – South American (including chef Jeff Tunks)

• October 17 – Classical Cuisine presented in a new way

• October 24 – Asian (including chef Alan Wong)

• October 31 – Fall Harvest (including chefs Cat Cora and Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace in New Orleans)

• November 7 – Italian

Sweet Sundays

• September 27 Andrew Shotts
• October 4 Warren Brown & Mary Meyers
• October 11 David Guas of Bayou Bakery in Arlington, VA
• October 18 Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito
• October 25 Clair Clark from The French Laundry
• November 1 Geraldine Randalsome
• November 8 Jacques Torres

My mouth is watering already! I'll be covering the first weekend of the Festival and returning again later in October with my family for our annual visit. If you have any suggestions of things I should try specifically, drop me a note here and I'll make the supreme sacrifice of "researching" these fun food and wine events for our readers!

How difficult an undertaking is it to write about someone that wasn't famous and you never even met? I wondered that as I sat down at the keyboard to write this. I'm speaking of Austin Wuennenberg, the monorail pilot that lost his life last weekend in a monorail accident
at Walt Disney World.

Austin worked in a place he loved doing a job he loved - monorail pilot. How do I know that? Because no one who deals directly with the guests as Disney calls them does it for the money. There isn't much of that involved with working for Disney. They do it for the love of the job, for the chance to make the guests happy and for the good feeling they get inside when they have done their job well.

He had tremendous success as a monorail pilot, becoming a role model to the many children that had the privilege to ride in the front of his cab. His position demanded that he explain the same things over and over to nearly everyone who rode in his cab. He never complained and treated every question he was asked like it was the first time he heard it.

I watched the video that the Orlando Sentinel has put online that was taken by Diane Cimino of Briton, CT earlier in the week that the accident happened. Watch Austin and you can plainly see how well he interacted with the guests. And he knew his stuff, too. How many of you could rattle off the 12 colors of the WDW monorails without pausing?

Trains and monorails capture little boys imaginations early in life. For them to actually meet someone who runs one is better than meeting the President or even Mickey Mouse. The joy and amazement that Austin brought to that little boy in the video was only the tip of the joy he brought to so many others. Often times, a person does not intend to be a role model for someone. It's usually the last thing on their mind. But those are the times that end up being most indelibly seared into a child's memory, an event that will live in the child's mind for decades. Austin never got the chance to be rich and famous. But he had the position of role model down pat. He was a cast member that Walt himself would have been proud of. Sure he had problems of his own and wasn't perfect but he had the ability to put that all aside when he went on stage.

Your family and friends will miss you dearly, Austin. There is another group who will miss you as well - the children who never got the chance to ride with you. And I guarantee that there is at least one little boy who will never forget you.

So here's to you, Austin. I salute you. I didn't know you at all but I knew you well. And now a few other folks do, too.

by AllEars® Team Member Jack Marshall

I have always thought that Disney's Animal Kingdom had some of the best food available in any of the parks. Picnic In The Park (PITP) is no exception.

First offered back in April, PITP is definitely a trailblazing meal option for Disney. The basic idea of the program is to select from two tiers of healthy food selections - tier 1 is sandwiches and tier 2 is meats. Details on what the selections are can be found on our Picnic In The Park page.

The process starts when you place your order at the Desk located to the right of the Island Mercantile building.

Orders must be placed a minimum of one and one half hours prior to picking up but you can order your picnic anytime between park opening and 1:30 p.m. for pick up anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The food is prepared in the kitchens of Tusker House. Pick up is done at the window of the Kusafari Coffee Shop and Bakery.

Recently, I dined with two friends and we selected the rotisserie chicken option for three people. The bill came to $29.99 ($31.94 with tax). We ordered our picnic at 10:15 a.m. and picked it up at 12:45 p.m. There are 16 suggested picnic spots throughout the park. We chose the Dawa Bar for its accessibility, closeness to Kusafari Coffe Chop and Bakery and the umbrella tables that kept the spot cooler and dry.

The meal comes in a green reuseable cloth bag.

The tier 2 meal for three consists of your entree, two sides to share, a dessert for each diner and a water for each.

Our rotisserie chicken was supposed to include 6 pieces but we got 8. I don't know whether it was a mistake or not but it was definitely not wasted.

Four our two sides, we chose mashed potato and gravy and macaroni and cheese.These came in pint containers (16 ounces).

We all selected different desserts. Shown here are the cornbread and the brownie.

The final dessert was a crisped rice treat.

The drinks were 12 ounce bottles of water and were the only option. Additional items like soda could be purchased individually if desired.

Finally, all the necessary plates, napkins, plastic utensils, mayonaisse and mustard were included as well.

I found the meal to be very good. It was heavily seasoned and was quite hot when we sat down to eat it. My dining companions also enjoyed their meals. We did notice that several things were lacking, notably butter or margerine for the cornbread and wet naps to clean up after eating the chicken. But these were minor things.

As of June 27th, 2009, Picnic In The Park has expanded to offer meals for two. Previously, meals for three were the smallest meals you could get.

The Disney Dining Plan is accepted for this but it will take one adult quick service entitlement for each meal ordered. In other words a meal for two would take two counter service credits while a meal for three would take three, etc.

I have to admit that this is an item that I most likely would not have purchased for myself but I am very glad that I had to for this report. I know I will be doing this option when my family returns to WDW later this year.

Be sure to visit out Rate and Review Area to share your experience and see what others have to say as well!

AllEars® Team Member Erin Blackwell brings us this blog entry on Disney's PhotoPass.

What can we tell you about Disney's PhotoPass? Well, like everything else on the site, we try to be as comprehensive as possible, so you have all the information you need for your Disney vacation. Let's start with the basics for everyone who hasn't been to the parks in awhile or is about to go for the first time!

What is Disney's PhotoPass? It used to be Disney's photographers would take pictures of you in a park and give you a slip of paper to claim the photos at the end of the day. If you forgot or if you couldn't get the picture(s) then, you were out of luck. But now, that's all changed... and for the better! With the advantages of digital photography, Disney created the only system of this kind: the photographers still take pictures of your vacation, but now you can claim that any time, including online for 30 days after your trip is over. From there you can view your photos, order prints, and create photo keepsakes. Many guests say since PhotoPass has done away with the old system, they had more photos taken.

The first time you have your picture taken, the photographer will give you a plastic Disney's PhotoPass card with an ID number on the back. Hang onto that card and use it for the duration of your trip. In fact, you can hang on to it and use it on every trip you take! Each time you see one of the roving photographers and want a photo taken, just go up and hand them your card - they'll get you situated, snap the pose, scan your card and off you go - and you can do this as often as you like.

By the way, you're not limited to one card. If you and others in your party each have a card, or you forgot yours in your room so you get another, it doesn't matter. Your online account will take the ID numbers from all those cards and combine them, so everything's in one place.

You'll also get a separate card if you attend a special event such as Halloween parties, and the Walt Disney World water parks give you a small card on a wrist strap like the one on the right. These cards are getting so popular, the Magic Kingdom now offers them at Pixie Hollow, and hopefully, that'll expand to all the parks.

The most important thing is the ID number on the back of the card. All of your photos are linked to that code, so write it down, take a clear picture of it, or save it somehow. That way, if you lose your card, you still have your pictures! You can even send this ID number to someone at home, so they can look at your pictures online and share in your trip. They can also tell you if a picture didn't come out well, so you can have it done again.

Each park at Disneyland and Walt Disney World has PhotoPass Centers, and even some of the resorts, so you can look at them while you're on your vacation. But since they're online for 30 days, from the date the photo was taken, you just go to http://www.disneyphotopass.com, register for free, and enter the ID number on the back of the card(s). Now you can add characters and borders, look at the Disney Gallery for their pictures, and figure out what kind of products you might like.

So where are the photographers? That's the biggest question that I hear. Where are they? How do you recognize them? I'm going to give you two ways of finding them. You'll be able to print these (and even download them to a PDA) so you can have them while you're at the parks.

First, how do you recognize them? Most Disney PhotoPass photographers wear the same basic costume: dark shorts or pants, white shirt, and, most times, a khaki photographer's vest. One exception are the photographers on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom; look for blue and white pinstripe shirts, with white pants and oversized beret-type hats. Both costumes are pictured on the left.

Second, the next big question: where are they? And "why doesn't Disney have maps for them!" Actually, Disney does have maps for the photographer locations. It's true that they aren't on the maps you get in the parks; Disney feels the locations can change so much, the paper maps become too easily obsolete.

But! The All Ears.Net PhotoPass page gives you the link for the only Disney PhotoPass maps; they're online and in PDF format, broken down by the six parks: Disneyland, California Adventure, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios. Just look for the camera icons on the map to find the photographers. You also get some general tips and where you can find the PhotoPass Center in that park.

I said I'd give you another way to find them, and here it is: each PhotoPass page on the site (one for Disneyland parks, and one for Walt Disney World) lists each location. I also give tips like the official maps and the PhotoPass Centers, but (putting on infomercial voice) wait, there's more! The pages give additional tips like characters in each section, and what can you get in the "magical photos", plus the restaurants, special event locations, and resorts. You can read these Disneyland PhotoPass locations and Walt Disney World PhotoPass locations tables, and use the print link to take them with you!

Remember: because of the weather, character times, and photographer availability, photo locations are subject to change without notice. Some locations are meant to be temporary: my husband and I had our picture taken by a photographer taking advantage of the sunset on a lagoon, as an example.

Some readers reported seeing fewer photographers lately; the good news is, Disney is bringing in more, so this problem can be resolved.

Note: one PhotoPass location outside the parks is the NYC World of Disney store, so you can get a touch of Disney while visiting the Big Apple.

"Magical photos"? Yes, Virginia, I did say "magical photos". They can also be called "special poses" or "magical poses". The photographers will ask you to pose in what might seem like odd ways: cupping your hands, pointing to the ground, looking surprised.... They do this because characters are added into the photo, like you crossing swords with Captain Hook or Stitch popping out of the ground. The latest magical photo is the Mickey balloons, like you see in All Ears team member Laura's hands. Disneyland told Laura they've only been available for a month. My personal opinion is, they've been added to coincide with the balloon theme for "What Will You Celebrate?", but it could just be, the balloons look great!

One Disney manager told team member Jack Spence that these balloons are available at all PhotoPass locations. We haven't tested all the places, but we can say that they're definitely available at these two locations:

Disneyland in front of the train station: as you see with Laura.

-and-

Disney's Hollywood Studios on Sunset Boulevard, as you can see with Jack on the left.

Ask if you get the balloon pose in other locations, and if you do, please let AllEars® know! More on that later.

The other newer magical photo that I've seen is also at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and it's Stitch bursting out of a hat in your hands. They offer it on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.

Professional Portrait Service: Walt Disney World offers a private portrait session for you and your party at five of their hotels: The Grand Floridian, The Polynesian, The Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the newest location, Wilderness Lodge. (Each of these also has their own PhotoPass center.) For full information, check the Disney's PhotoPass page for Walt Disney World under Locations & Tips.

General tips: this section on the pages is about what you'd expect - tips on making Disney's PhotoPass work for you. The most important tip is what I said above: save that ID number! Others tips include help with dining locations, pictures with children, and not forgetting the great opportunity for beautiful night photos.

Ways to save money: that perked up the ears, didn't it? And why not? Who wouldn't like to save money? Disneyland guests save money on the PhotoCD of all your pictures, but did you know there is a way to get that price when you have a trip to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland?

Walt Disney World guests: If you booked your trip through either via Disneyworld.com or through Disney's Reservation Center, you will get an email from Disney Destinations called "Disney Vacation Must Sees for the (name) Family". It is sent approximately mid-way between when a reservation is booked and the arrival date (or 45 days prior to the arrival date if the mid-way point is more than 45 days prior to arrival). The email has a link to pre-order the PhotoCD and save! (Note: This is the ONLY way to get the link now and you only get this link if you booked your trip through the 2 ways described above. At this time, you will not get the discount if you booked through a travel agent, if you're staying off-property, or if you are a DVC member. Also, you must pre-order the PhotoCD to get the savings, you cannot do it during or after your trip, and the link is not transferable.)

Look for other ways to save money in this section. Of course, it lists all the products you can purchase; they're the same for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. If you've been to these sections before, one of the updates is to product prices. Some even went down.

Yes, Virginia, you read that right: some prices went down.

Tips on Posing: here's a whole new section added to the pages. It deals with what kind of fun and creative poses you can do. Some photographers are great with this and so are some guests. One of AllEars.Net's photographers, Lisa Berton, for example, got an apple to pose with the Evil Queen from Snow White poisoning her. She also used the crowd behind her at Cinderella's Castle to do a "I crush your head! Crush! Crush!" pose. (Everyone who knows Lisa is nodding their heads right now and grinning.)

Another that I really love is Mickey cupping his hands with a couple's hands folded on top of his, displaying their wedding rings like you would in a wedding album. It's a lovely "intimate" photo that is all Disney.

So check out these new sections to inspire your imagination and have fun!

Contacting PhotoPass: Two things that never change (besides death and taxes): 1) people make mistakes and 2) so do the machines they create. Your photos might not show up in your account, or you have some other reason you need to contact Disney's PhotoPass. The pages give you five different ways to do this: their contact form, 3 different email addresses, and their phone number.

The only difference between the Contact PhotoPass section for Disneyland vs Walt Disney World is: the latter also has the phone number for the Portrait Sessions and the NYC World Of Disney store.

Both also have a link to the Disney's PhotoPass Help FAQ.

What's coming up: For Disney's PhotoPass? Quite a lot, I'm sure: locations are fluid, technology improves, more and more special events are created. For the PhotoPass pages on AllEars.Net? My next big update will be Photo Galleries. This way, you will see all the "magical photos" characters, some of the creative poses you can do, Special Events, and PhotoPass pictures in general.

Of course, I need to keep the pages current so they're useful. One way I do that, in addition to whining badgering politely asking people on the team for help, is reading the feedback, tips and reviews from our readers. Please send in what you learn about Disney's PhotoPass. You help out me and your fellow guests!

Thank you to Jack Spence who dared to open an email with the subject line "Good Morning, Mr. Phelps" where I begged asked for help, and to Laura Gilbreath for all her help!

by Debra Martin Koma
AllEars Senior Editor

Well, it looks like all of my D23 materials (for the new Disney fan club that was announced just a few week ago HERE) have finally arrived.

I wanted to share with you a little bit about them.

I first received the membership card with a welcome letter.

It's a nice, sturdy credit card-sized card with a happy Mickey face on it. It even has my name and join date printed on the reverse side.
Nice.

A few days later, I received my copy of the new magazine and a colorful membership certificate.

You may have already read about the new quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three HERE. Now that I have seen the magazine for myself, I can tell you it really is a collector's item for any Disney fan. Really
high-quality production values, gorgeous photos -- worth the individual retail price of $16.95, in my opinion.

They also tucked in a little D23 decal -- I nearly missed it and threw
it out with the packaging. I'm not sure where I'm going to put it, but
still...

Finally, yesterday my "exclusive D23 gift" arrived in a big cardboard
tube. What was it? A lovely lithograph of Mickey Mouse painting a smile on a globe. The lithograph is a reproduction of a piece that was created in honor of Mickey's 80th anniversary last year by artist Paul Felix, who is an art director at Walt Disney Animation Studios. The original portrait, done in oils, is entitled "Putting a Smile on the World," and is 24x36 inches on canvas.

This lithograph, which comes with a certificate of authenticity verifying that it is the "exclusive 2009 Charter Year collectible gift" for D23 members, measures 20x30 inches. The certificate states that it is printed on archival 65# cougar natural cover stock, with fade-resistant, oil-based process inks.

It really is a lovely print, definitely worth framing and displaying.

So... the yearly membership fee for D23 is about $75. The magazine alone costs about $17/issue and it comes out four times a year. So for the magazine by itself I'd be paying about $68.

The lithograph is obviously worth more than $7, so I'd say that this year, at least, the D23 membership is worth it -- if you're an avid Disney fan.

All that remains to be seen is whether it continues to provide value for money in the coming years...

As you may have already read, on Tuesday, The Walt Disney Company launched D23, billed as "the first official community for Disney fans in the company's 85-year history." According to the official press release, D23 will provide fans with the opportunity to "go backstage and behind closed doors to get the inside scoop from every part of Disney, while experiencing the nostalgia, adventure and fantasy of Disney as never before."

To formally announce the program, Disney hosted a press conference via telephone, with Steven Clark, head of D23 and executive editor of its quarterly magazine "Disney twenty-three," Marty Sklar, Executive Vice President and Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador, and Dave Smith, Disney's Chief Archivist.

According to Clark, this new program (named for 1923, the year Walt Disney began what eventually became Disney Studios) is unique in that it has "unprecedented support" from the entire Disney Company, from the very highest levels (that would be CEO Bob Iger), and across all business units.

"In the past we have had great traditions of reaching out to fans -- Disney Vacation Club members, annual passholders, even pin-traders," he noted. "But we have not had a singular fan offering, something for all Disney fans."

Rather than catering to these "sub-communities," as Clark put it, D23 will be open to all Disney fans -- at least, those willing to pay $74.99 per year for membership.

And what do you get for that annual fee? "Unprecedented access to Disney, behind the scenes," Clark said. "We really think D23 is the ultimate insider Disney experience. We're going behind closed doors, pulling back the curtains... We realize especially in this economic climate that this is not 'one size fits all.' The D23 site will provide a rich web experience at no cost. The Expo will cost $37 for one day, which we think is affordable for a full day of an outstanding Disney experience. And for those who want the full-year experience, we think there is a great deal of value for $74.99."

The key features of D23:

-- a new high-quality quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three, that features exclusive articles and photography, and behind-the-scenes looks at all aspects of Disney. Better yet, the publication is free of advertising, making it "63 pages of uninterrupted Disney," as Clark called it, and a true collectible in its own right.

--an all-new web site at Disney.com/D23, with frequently updated Disney news, features like "Ask Dave" (Smith, the Disney Archivist), blogs from the production teams, event info and more. The site will be open to the general public, but only D23 members will receive regular email updates on special event and merchandise opportunities exclusive to them.

-- a "Surprise Collectible Gift" and the opportunity to purchase exclusive member merchandise. Each member who joins D23 will receive an exclusive collectible gift from the new Walt Disney Archives Collection. ("And it's NOT a pin," Clark laughed.)This merchandise line was created specifically with D23 members in mind, and each piece is authorized by the Walt Disney Archives. D23 members will have exclusive or early access to a wide assortment of Walt Disney Archives Collection pieces. "We're hoping to offer products that are inspired by or are faithful reproductions of assets we have in the collection of the archives," Clark explained. "For example, we'd really like to produce something like the snow globe from Mary Poppins, but we're really just getting started." But, as Sklar pointed out, the program is not just about finding ways to sell fans more merchandise. "This is about the community of fans -- this is about YOUR Disney," he added.

D23 also will host special events for its members throughout the year, such as advance screenings of Disney films, or smaller member events in the various theme parks -- but the details for these have not been finalized and Clark was reluctant to say too much for fear of "spilling the beans." The organization's signature event, though, will be the D23 Expo, which will be held in Anaheim this September 10-13 (and probably for the next four years, as well). The Expo will be open to all, but D23 members will have the opportunity for early entry to the event, as well as specially discounted tickets both to the Expo and to Disneyland. More details about the Expo, which will feature lots of celebrities, keynote speakers, special activities like a fashion show and screenings, and perhaps even a wedding, will be announced soon when its dedicated site, d23expo.com, officially launches.

Among the other highlights of the conference call, it was interesting to hear Clark's assertion that the creation of D23 does not mean Disney is trying to compete with other unofficial Disney sites or the "blogosphere."

"There is a vast world of stories and perspectives out there, and there is a voracious appetite for consuming Disney trivia, and more," he said, admitting that as a fan he reads many other Disney-related sites. "We believe there is room for everyone," he noted, adding, "We are all celebrating the larger Disney experience." He added that they would love to have other organizations have a presence at the D23 Expo, and did not rule out fan sites having their own tables at the event.

He also did not rule out the possibility of fans contributing content to the D23 site at some point, but admitted that it was not something that had been considered. "It's an interesting idea," he said. "I'll have to run that idea by some others."

Also on hand for the conference call was Chief Disney Archivist Dave Smith, who gave a brief chronology of Disney's relationship with its fans over the years, from the Mickey Mouse Club up through the present day NFFC. Smith, along with others from the Disney Archives, has been involved in the development of the D23 program. He claimed that he, too, as a Disney fan, was eager to see the new organization launch. "In my four decades with the company," Smith noted, "I've witnessed how much the fans stand by Disney. It will be exciting to see how D23 develops in the years to come."

Author's Note: The television program "The View" is visiting
Disney's studios out in Calfornia this week. Clark noted that viewers might want to watch the program Wednesday, March 11, to see actress/host Whoopi Goldberg sing a stirring rendition of the Country Bears Jamboree's "Blood on the Saddle" along with a Disney archivist as she tours the archive facilities.

by
Debra Martin Koma
Senior Editor
AllEars®

I recently had the chance to chat with Kristi Koester, a manager of WDW Product Marketing, and we talked about what's going on with the Downtown Disney area. While there was a lot she couldn't talk about, because it's still in the planning stages, there were a few things she COULD reveal. Plus we had the chance to talk more at length about some plans that have already been announced.

"When the night clubs closed on Pleasure Island (on September 28), we announced a complete transformation, not only of Pleasure Island, but of the whole Downtown Disney area," Koester says. "Over the past few months we have been working with Imagineers and many others to finalize this vision we have of making the area Disney's dining, shopping and entertainment metropolis."

Some of the changes to the area we're already seeing, she notes, pointing to the fall 2008 opening of T-Rex and the recent opening of the Design-A-Tee shop at the Marketplace. On the horizon is TrenD (pronounced trend-dee), an upscale, hip Disney fashion boutique, located on the site of the former Summer Sands in the marketplace, due to open in late March. And soon after that there will be a new, as-yet-unnamed restaurant with a Central and South American theme.

E-Brands Restaurants, based in Orlando, is the name behind the new restaurant, and the company already operates a number of high-concept eateries around the country, including Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bar, AquaKnox ( seafood), and David Burke (Modern American cuisine in Las Vegas). Nonetheless, Koester claims that this particular restaurant's concept is new to E-Brands, and will add to the mix of the Downtown Disney area, which she says is evolving from "night clubs" to "night life."

The new restaurant, which is slated to open later this year with a wine bar and a tequila bar, will also feature an impressive view of the waterfront.

"That's been one of the issues at Downtown Disney," she notes, "the real estate issue. You have this prime location sitting on the water and it was blockaded by all these buildings. The area needs to be contemporized and the waterfront opened up -- we're looking at ways to maximize this asset."

Another way Downtown Disney will "maximize this asset" is with Characters in Flight, the first Downtown Disney attraction, scheduled to open in April. This tethered balloon ride, situated in the water between Pleasure Island and West Side, is operated by the same company that runs a similar ride at Disneyland Paris. It will allow 30 participants at a time to go 300 feet off the ground and will last six minutes. The cost for the experience has not yet been set, but Koester notes that it will be quite an exhilarating ride.

"The ride will operate day and night," she explains, adding that the balloon will be illuminated in the evenings. "It's off-white, silhouetted with Disney characters, and will be quite a unique site hovering over the water at Downtown Disney."

When asked if this type of activity along with the closing of the night clubs, signals a shift to making Downtown Disney and specifically Pleasure Island more family-oriented, Koester shakes her head.

"No, I don't think that's it. I think the area will have a family focus, but will also be accommodating to others, not catering to one group more than another." She adds, "We're looking at rounding out what we have already and bringing in the best brands from all over. Not necessarily chains, but more unique experiences, like Raglan Road. We're looking at an array of dining possibilities, places with show kitchens, open lounges, that will appeal to everyone, not just families."

So what about bringing some of the old night clubs back, then? Specifically the beloved Adventurers Club, which was a uniquely Disney experience.

"I can tell you for certain that the Adventurers Club as it was will not be coming back to Pleasure Island," Koester states. "I'm afraid it will be a line in Disney history."

As for the rest of the changes the area will be seeing, Koester says they are coming, but as Imagineers are looking at transportation and a whole host of other related issues, it's been a challenge to develop and lock onto a finalized plan. But, she adds, there will be a succession of smaller announcements over the next 18 months to two years, as Disney reaches agreements with other partners who will open locations in the Downtown Disney area.

"As you can imagine, tough economic times like these tend to slow things down," she notes. "But you can expect an announcement at least of the overall vision for Downtown Disney early this summer."

by Debra Martin Koma
Senior Editor
AllEars®

ESPN The Weekend Schedule!
Saturday Part 1
Saturday Part 2
Sunday Part 1
Sunday Part 2

Some of you may know that I visited Walt Disney World during ESPN The Weekend for the first time last year, and that my son came away a winner after participating in the Dream Job Experience (read his blog a see video about the event HERE).

Well, he's twisted my arm, so I'm taking him down for the event again this year -- we'll be heading to WDW later this week!

While I was in the World LAST week, though, I had the chance to speak about ESPN The Weekend to Jason Dobbins of Disney's product marketing. For those of you who also might be going to the see the star athletes and ESPN personalities, here's what he had to tell me about this year's event.

The format for the event will be the same as last year's -- as Dobbins noted, it was so successful last year, they didn't see any reason to change anything this year. So you'll still see the motorcades with the athletes throughout the day, and they'll still have conversations under
the Sorcerer Mickey Hat.

There will also be live broadcasts of popular ESPN shows like "NFL Live" and "1st and 10," live ESPN Radio broadcasts, and interactive game shows like the returning Dream Job Experience and Stump the Schwab for fans to take part in.

In the former show, members are selected from the crowd and have a chance to act as broadcasters of a major sporting event. The
audience votes who does the best job, while the participant gets feedback from some celebrity athlete judges. (That's the one my son the ham participated in.) In the latter, select members of the audience team up with an athlete to answer trivia questions, hoping to outscore ESPN personality Howie Schwab.

Dobbins added that they have been trying to add on another new interactive experience with one of the athletes scheduled to appear, but details weren't quite ironed out when we spoke... so keep your eyes peeled for something new on the schedule!

Shows like these and other activities will again be spread out all over the park, some taking place in the Theatre of the Stars (working around showings of Beauty and the Beast), others possibly in the Sounds Dangerous theater. One of last year's venues, the ABC Theater, is now home to the new American Idol Experience attraction, so instead some shows will be held in what's now called the Premiere Theater, back in the Streets of America area of the park. That theater, former home of the Hunchback of Notre Dame show, is now fully enclosed and air-conditioned.

The theme park will also host the ESPN SportsZone, located behind Rock'n' Roller Coaster and the Soundstages. You get a really cool perspective of the park from back there, plus there's lots going on -- basketball and baseball "clinics", autograph signing... you won't be bored, that's for sure.

Sort of a random note: attendees will be treated to the introduction of a new Powerade product -- apparently, Coca-Cola is giving ESPN The Weekend guests an exclusive first taste.

A tentative list of attendees for the weekend's festivities can be found HERE, but remember -- it'll be changing up until the last minute, as details are being finalized. (But Steeler Lamarr Woodley had better show up, or I'll have one disappointed Pittsburgh fan on my hands!)

If you're heading south for the event, have fun! And if you spot me in the park (I'm sure I won't get out of Disney's Hollywood Studios all weekend!) be sure to say hi!

Watch for a report on the weekend when we get back.

by Debra Martin Koma, Senior Editor

Finally have a minute to catch up after the last two jam-packed days -- just wanted to give you a taste of the American Idol Experience event with the promise that more details and photos will be coming in the next day or so!

The festivities started with a motorcade featuring about 20 past American Idol contestants, including Sanjaya, he of the ever-changing hairdos (below).

Many of the Idol celebrities stopped to speak on the BLUE (not red) carpet, including Bucky Covington.

Once inside the Idol theater, we were surprised with a short speech from Jay Rasulo and a
very unexpected host, Ryan Seacrest -- and judge Paula Abdul.

The Idol show was just great, but even better, it was capped off with performances by David Cook, the most recent Idol winner, and Grammy award-winner Carrie Underwood.

Like I said, this is just a taste of the press event -- more coming about the new attraction and many other things... soon!