Disney Company News

Disney has recently launched D23, the first official community for Disney fans in the company’s 85-year history. Through D23, fans will 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.

Russia’s powerful Federal Anti-Monopoly Commission (FAS) is blocking a deal that would launch a Disney-branded television station in Russia. The agency claims that the deal for a 49% stake in a joint venture with regional commercial network Media One TV, which runs channels in 30 of the country’s 89 regions, “was not in the interests of free competition.”

From the China Daily, The Walt Disney Company and the Shanghai municipal government have signed a project proposal to build the first Disney park on the Chinese mainland. This will be the second Disney park in China, the first one being in Hong Kong which opened to guests on September 12, 2005.

The Walt Disney Company, through one of its subsidiaries, and Media-One Holdings Limited, a broadcaster operating assets in the regions of Russia, are forming a joint venture to launch a Disney-branded television channel in Russia.

In order to expand its kids and family media business in Europe and extend its brand leadership around the world, The Walt Disney Company announced that one of its subsidiaries has entered into agreements to acquire outstanding shares of Jetix Europe for € 11 per share.

Walt Disney Company has struck a deal with Verizon Wireless that will allow it to remain in contact via mobile phones with visitors (guests) to its theme parks – even when they step outside the turnstiles in both Anaheim and Orlando. It is being pitched as a way to enhance the “theme park experience,” enabling parkgoers to use their mobile phones for tasks.

Disney is coming to the island of O’ahu, Hawaii. No it will not be another theme park but rather a Disney themed resort. Ko Olina Resort & Marina scheduled to be completed by 2011 will be a 830-unit resort on 21 acres of property.

LaughingPlace.com has confirmed that both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will finally be updating Star Tours. I say finally as a new Star Tours experience is long overdue. Apparently Star Tours 2.0 is currently in production and should be announced in the fall for a summer ’09 launch.

I would imagine that David and Marisol Chaveco, a Clermont, Florida couple who own a small party business, never thought they’d be famous, at least not in this manner. Nevertheless, it is national news now that the Walt Disney Company is suing the couple for trademark infringement.

The Walt Disney Company announced today that it will contribute $1 million in humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in China. The donation will be put towards acquiring materials for immediate relief efforts, helping and supporting displaced and distressed children and rebuilding damaged schools.