Sailing, Fairy Music, & Wonders in the Sky

This week in Disney Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney’s nephew, is about to begin a sailing adventure. The 77 year old has enjoyed sailing since his 20’s and is looking forward to the next voyage. This trip wasn’t just for a joy ride though; they are filming a documentary called “Morning Light.” Roy said he wanted “audiences to experience this through the eyes of kids who’ve never done this before.” The kids in the film aren’t actors they simply just wanted to sail a boat. Roy said he enjoyed the trip and watching the kids who participated grow as individuals. "We didn't want to make a film about boats or racing ... we wanted to make a film about people. I hope audiences take away a sense of hope and optimism about the future of our young people. Our goal is to give all of you landlubbers a better sense of what goes on between two ports without making you seasick in the process. You identify with these kids as you cross the ocean with them. It changed their lives ... maybe it'll change yours too."
This week Disney also released a Tinkerbell soundtrack on Tuesday October 14th. The songs were all from or related to the Tinkerbell feature film. Two popular singers that can be found on the CD are American Idol star Katharine McPhee and Disney teen star from the TV show Wizards of Waverly Place Selena Gomez.
On Disney Insider a guest from Pittsburgh, PA talked about how they enjoyed the Flights of Wonder show at Disney Animal Kingdom. This week their question was answered which was “One of my favorite things at the Animal Kingdom is the Flights of Wonder show. The birds are magnificent. Has this show been part of the Animal Kingdom from the beginning? What can you tell me about the birds and the trainers?” When they responded they told her that the Flights of Wonder show consists of 20 different species of birds in the show. The show started in 1998 and every show since had been unique because every show is made up of a different variety if birds that all can do different tricks.

Hannah Montana Sweet 16, Cheap Music, & Selena Gomez

Miley Cyrus, also known as the famous Hannah Montana, celebrated her 16^th birthday party at Anaheim, California’s Disneyland on October 5, 2008. Her actual sweet 16 isn’t until November 23^rd, but the celebration seemed to still go off as a hit. The theme park closed down and featured a fireworks show, 16 inflatable candles, and 4 performances by Miley. About 5,000 people attended that event which cost $250 a ticket. Disney used this event to help promote their “What Will You Celebrate.” This will begin in 2009 and it will gain free theme park admission to any person who has identification stating that it is in fact their birthday.

During the event guests also got the opportunity to play one of Disney’s upcoming video games called Ultimate Band. Disney wanted to find a way to allow people to experience Guitar Hero and Rock Band without the high costs. By doing this Disney has created a system that will allow Wii owners to use the remote and Nun chuck to play the drums and guitar. They also have a system set up where you can not only play the songs which are programmed into the game, but you can create music of your own and record and save it. Disney hopes to have this released in time for the Holidays so keep an eye out for anything around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Selena Gomez of Disney channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” was announced as spokesperson for Trick-Or-Treat for the UNICEF (The United Nations Children Fund) campaign. This campaign supports promoting American children to help other children around the world with celebrating and enjoying Halloween.

DVD Releases and High School Musical

Disney has recently released one of its famous movies The Nightmare before Christmas collector’s edition on DVD and Blu-Ray disc on August 26^, 2008. This edition features a commentary with producer and writer Tim Burton. It was digitally restored and remastered with state of the art technology. Disney has also released a The Nightmare before Christmas CD called Nightmare Revisited release on September 3, 2008. The CD is complete with 20 tracks with some well known artists. Some include Plain White T’s, Korn, All American Rejects, and Marilyn Manson.

Disney is also gearing up for their new smash hit release of High School Musical three to be released in the states on Friday October 24^th. On Tuesday October 8^th they had their grand premiere in the United Kingdom. Stars of the show Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, Ashely Tisdale, and Corbin Bleu were all there. The first High School Musical was shown on the Disney Channel in January 2006. The following summer they released sequel to the movie also released on the Disney channel. High School Musical 3: Senior Year is the first of the trilogy to be released on the big screen. With the third movie already planned to be a hit work has already begun on High School Musical 4.

Disney’s Classic Sleeping Beauty has been released from the vault for its 50^th anniversary. It has been remastered and is available for the first time on DVD and Blu-Ray disc. Along with the DVD if you go on Disney.com Disney is having a Sleeping Beauty sweepstakes now until January 31^st. The Grand Prize is a one night stay in the Dream Suite in Disneyland for four and then a two night stay in a Disneyland resort. Other prizes are also available by entering the giveaway.