Lets face it, there is a ton of information on the internet concerning the Walt Disney Company. What I think is missing on the Web are articles written that present the facts without a lot of personal spin. That is going to change as I present a weekly column here at Intercot West: Disney Inside Out. I have over the past few years secured some "inside" sources that can provide credible information about what is and is not going on, the scuttlebutt talked about around water coolers at Disney headquarters, and what is in the pipeline for the company.

I hope you will enjoy the series, and feel free to drop me a line at MegaDisney@intercot.com if you have any questions or comments. On with the show:

First up is the news I think we are all well aware of, and that is cutbacks at the Resorts. The Resorts have for certain seen a number of modifications to save money as tourism has declined. Many people have been upset by the closures, but it is important to understand that no company can continue to spend money to keep things open when the business is just not there. The incredible lists we have all seen of the rehabs and closures going on can definitely put a damper on travel plans. Walt Disney World has seen entire Resort Hotels closed or new resort openings postponed, and they have completely stopped early entry. Entertainment on both coasts has been cut to the bone. And many of the more expensive programs have been scaled back or suspended altogether. My sources indicate that if the current downturn continues, their may be even more cost cutting measures put into place. Keep in mind that most of these closures are temporary pending a revival of the tourism market. The only way we will see these cutbacks reversed is if travel and tourism pick back up, so plan a trip today!

At Disneyland many of the rehabs are part of a much larger project going on. As reported here at Intercot West months ago, you can look for almost the entire Disneyland park to be "rehabbed" prior to the 50th Anniversary. In addition some of the projects currently being done are long-term improvements that will help take the park well into the next century. Case in point: the "Fantasyland" paving project. This ten-year project actually began in Frontierland and will eventually see ALL of the park "repaved". Ever notice the horseshoe and animal tracks in Frontierland? Well we can expect the same attention to detail to be added throughout the park. Fantasyland will have "granite" cobblestone, and other details added. In fact the contractors doing the Fantasyland area have had problems following Disney's instructions to create "random old world" patterns. They are so used to installing perfectly straight paving bricks. One of the details, albeit small, that impressed me about Animal Kingdom was the attention to detail in the paving surfaces: Animal tracks and compressed leaves in the African section, and the addition of bicycle, and bare foot tracks in the Asian section. Look for Disneyland to get these type of details during this project, as well as improved infrastructure (drainage and utilities)-remember, Disneyland is almost 50 years old!

Much has been said about the closure of Carousel of Progress at WDW, and the official word from Disney is the attraction will operate "seasonally" , with no indication as to what that means. Other current "seasonal" attractions at the Magic Kingdom are Mike Fink Keel Boats, and the TimeKeeper. The Journey into Your Imagination attraction at Epcot is currently down for yet another rehab, and many hope to see the triumphant return of Figment.

As reported by Burgirl, a new Disney Play store concept has been opening around the country. Geared towards Disney tots, the stores will contain merchandise directed to children (or the child in all of us!) But I also have news of a new Disney store overseas, which sounds really cool! On October 17th a flagship Italian Disney Store opened in fashion capitol Milan. My understanding is that crowds began to form in front of the store to admire the windows before the store had even opened! Located on the same avenue as ultra-chic Prada, Gucci and Armani, the long narrow store has a stylish, modern decor. The Disney team has created a store that reflects stages of design, from the designer's studio with sketches, to a runway. A life sized Snow White in a costume harking back to the late 1930's can be seen from the street, and at the rear is a life sized Evil Queen. A fashion show featuring Topolino (Mickey Mouse to the Italians) fills out this fashionable Disney Store Masterpiece.

Mr. Showbiz , an entertainment website run by Disney, has been closed. The expected closure of the site occurred as Disney made more cuts in its Internet staffing. Visitors to Mr. Showbiz.com are now being redirected to ABCNews.com.

With the Disney Purchase of Fox Family, which will be re-named ABC Family on Saturday, layoffs will occur as early as next week. Pink slips will be handed out where overlaps exist between Fox Family and Disney operations, which could include sales, marketing and merchandising. Disney purchased Fox Family for $2.9 billion in cash and assumed $2.3 billion of the network's debt last month. The logo that will be used temporarily is a modification of the current Fox Family logo, which simply replaces the word Fox with ABC.

Holidaze decorating is well underway at WDW, and should be up and complete by Thanksgiving. Sales of tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom are underway and sales are said to be brisk. In addition, the over-the-top Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney/MGM Studios opens November 21st and runs through January 6th. Grab a pair of holographic glasses and the show takes on a whole new "dimension" !

The entire Disneyland Resort has been decked out for the Holidaze! DCA got some really cool additions, one of which it the Christmas tree in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. It is set up to look like a "prop" in progress with bins of ornaments and lights ready to be added. Roger Rabbit, after almost a year of being closed, has been decorated for Christmas. The Downtown Disney Decorations are colorful and inventive. And Small World is absolutely radiant! Believe…in Holiday Magic is up and running with the return of the fabulous "snow" effect. The much-awaited LuminAria has been delayed due to some technical issues, but will run through the Holiday season, and there are water-cooler rumors of a summer edition of this show. Even with the cutbacks, I still think the Disneyland Resort is definitely the "Merriest Place On Earth!"

Have a Disney Week!
MegaDisney


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