D23, launched earlier this year, is the Official Community for Disney Fans.

The name “D23″ pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 85-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 EXPO in Anaheim, California, September 10-13, 2009.

The D23 EXPO will give Disney fan unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, park experiences, collectibles and more from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets to the Expo are now available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is discounted for members of D23.

The D23 EXPO spotlight will also shine on Disney Channel’s brightest stars in a can’t miss-special event.

If you are a D23 member, or are planning to attend the expo, please let us know by completing this form.

SDS Webmaster Greg will be in Anaheim and will be coordinating possible meetings for those involved in our movements!

It’s interesting to see the continued assent of power and influance that disney channel shows and Executives have both within and outside of the Walt Disney Company.

Source: Reuters

Disney Channel executives will make their first-ever full programing presentation to retailers on Monday at the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, in a nod of the cable network’s growing earnings power within the Walt Disney Co.

Disney Channel shows produced a greater share of global merchandise sales for the company in 2008 than any single franchise produced by its movie studios, which also presents its slate at the annual licensing show.

Merchandise inspired by Disney Channel TV programs, led by ‘tween phenoms “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical” and preschooler hits “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Handy Manny,” reached $3.6 billion in merchandise retail sales in 2008.

“Cars,” the best-selling line inspired by the Disney-Pixar film, peaked at annual sales of $2.5 billion last year and is expected to decline this year, Disney officials said.

Global sales of “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical” merchandise grew faster in 2008 than any other Disney franchise and outstripped growth for the super-popular Disney Princess line, Disney Consumer Products spokesman Gary Foster said.

The cable network also has promising new franchises in “Sonny With a Chance” and “Wizards of Waverly Place”, which is why the company chose to showcase them “in a greater way”, Foster said.

Growth at the 94 Disney channels worldwide last quarter helped Disney’s cable business to 5 percent growth in operating income in the depths of the global recession.

At the same time, Studio Entertainment, whose upcoming slate of family movies usually dominates Disney’s presentation to the show’s 25,000 international retailers, will take a supporting role this year.

Disney’s studios have performed poorly in recent quarters as hits like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Cars” gave way to duds like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” “Prince Caspian” and “Bedtime Stories.” The studios’ operating profit plunged 97 percent last quarter.

Disney Channel’s presentation on Monday night focuses plans to support established hits, build up-and-comers and launch new properties, Disney Channel Worldwide President Rich Ross said.

“Our job is …to show people what we are excited about and … the commitment the company has … to tell stories that are popular,” Ross said. “TV has never done what TV is doing.”

Disney Channel plans to announce a fourth season for “Hannah Montana” and to report on the progress of casting for a fourth film in the “High School Musical” franchise, company officials said.

“Sonny With A Chance”, the top TV series among kids 6-11 and tweens, has been picked up for a second season, Disney said.

The annual meeting of shareholders of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), including remarks by management regarding the Company, will be available live via audio webcast at www.disney.com/investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. PDT / 1:00 p.m. EDT on March 10, 2009. A re-play will be provided through March 24, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. PDT.

I hope you all listen in!

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Mickey News originally posted this Walt Disney World press release.

A thrilling uncover world awaits secret agents at play in Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Epcot. The newly debuted high-tech spy game uses state-of-the-art technology to literally put the park in the palm of players’ hands.

Inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning animated series “Kim Possible,” the unique interactive experience takes players on an exciting quest for clues around seven pavilions in World Showcase: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Armed with an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator,” a hand-held wireless controller, guests maneuver through missions at their own pace as they save the world from diabolical comic villains.

“We can bring guests into Kim’s world with a handheld device while using even more technology in a way that doesn’t interfere with the experience of the rest of the guests,” said Patrick Brennan, vice president, Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It doesn’t compete. It sometimes actually adds to the experience.”

The attention to detail stands out as Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure seamlessly blends into its environment. It takes live-action gaming to a new level and is a great example of how Disney delivers personalized experiences like no other.

“As leaders in family entertainment, Disney theme parks push the envelope by combining state-of-the-art technology with creative storytelling to enhance the overall Disney vacation experience,” said Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Kimmunicators look like regular cell phones with big blue tags on them. I’d guess those are anti-theft devices of some sort.

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Save Lilo & Stitch Weekend Bash - 02/06-09/09

Save Jake Long Day - 02/13/09

Save KP Weekend - 02/20/09

Save W.I.T.CH. Day - 02/21/09

It’s important to remember that paper letters are the key to our efforts, and events are spaced out so you have at least a week to prepare as many as you can. Please refer to our how to help section for addresses: http://help.savedisneyshows.org

Then on the day of the event, you can also send faxes, make phone calls, and use our email program at http://sdsmail.org

From the Orlando Sentinel

Kim Possible on the case

Walt Disney World formally opened its latest attraction last week: Disney’s Kim Possible World Show Case Adventure at Epcot.

The attraction is a treasure hunt in which guests are given Verizon cell phones — or “Kimmunicators” in Disney parlance — that guide them through one of seven Epcot countries on missions to catch villains based on the popular cartoon show.

Guests search for clues based on hints from the phones and activate hidden surprises in each country, such as yodeling beer steins in Germany.

It’s not a typical ride or show; guests can take as long as they like to complete a given mission, and the technology is designed to spread out crowds by sending them on different missions or giving them different clues.

But Disney says Kim Possible is the latest example of its push to develop more interactive attractions in which guests help control the outcome rather than simply experience it, much like Toy Story Mania!, which opened last year in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

I hope to hear more about the experiance as more people have the oportunity to give it a try.

“kidcot” Kim Possible Corner Photos & Video have been uploaded the the Media section of savekp.com! Credit to John Lentz.

Click Here!

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As you all should know, creators of Kim Possible, Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle, have a new show that’s coming to Nick this year.

I’ve added screencaps from last November’s promo of the new show.

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Save Lilo & Stitch Weekend Bash - 01/02-05/09

Save W.I.T.CH. Day - 01/16/09

Save KP Weekend - 01/23-25/09

Save Jake Long Day - 01/30/09

It’s important to remember that paper letters are the key to our efforts, and events are spaced out so you have at least a week to prepare as many as you can. Please refer to our how to help section for addresses: http://help.savedisneyshows.org

Then on the day of the event, you can also send faxes, make phone calls, and use our email program at http://sdsmail.org