If you’re a regular watcher of any of the Disney broadcast and cable channels, you’ve probably noticed just how diverse the casting of its shows are.  This is especially true of its children shows which often show more diversity in its casting than you’d find on the network channels.

The Cheetah Girls star in Disney’s “The Cheetah Girls One World”

I read an interesting article in the New York Times last week about how this diversity manifests itself on Disney shows in interesting ways.  One Disney film that is a focus of the article is the new Cheetah Girls film that debuted last weekend.

“This group of people is reflective of the life we all live right now,” said Debra Martin Chase, an executive producer of “The Cheetah Girls One World,” which will be shown Friday on the Disney Channel.

“One-third of the U.S. population is now nonwhite,” said Ms. Chase, one of a handful of prominent African-American producers in Hollywood. “That is reflected in the Disney Channel projects because they are committed to diversity. It has been a priority for them all along.”

None of which should be particularly surprising in the 21st century, except that television in general seems to be caught in one of a series of repeating cycles in which diversity all but disappears from the small screen.

• MOUSEPLANET

Those of you planning a trip to Disneyland in the month of October will definitely want to read the Disneyland Update at MousePlanet.  There are going to be many events planned for the Disneyland resort which will increase the number of visitors and affect the park’s operating hours.  In addition to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween parties and the Gay Days weekend, the one major event planned is the early closing of the park on October 5th in order to host a birthday party for Disney’s biggest tween star, Miley Cyrus.  Readers of the Disneyland Update will also find news on the end of Summer at Disneyland, the early arrival of Disney costumes and merchandise, the Disneyland Hotel unveils new Disney-themed rooms for the little ones, and there’s plenty more Disney news and rumors in the “This and That” portion of the update.

Image copyright WDWLive

MousePlanet staff writer Mark Goldhaber is vacationing in Walt Disney World so it’s understandable if his Walt Disney World Update is a shorter than his usual updates.  Everyone deserves a vacation!  But he turns in a column nevertheless covering the finalization of the land sale to the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts company for the building of their new upscale property at Walt Disney World.  There’s also news on the arrival of Kim Possible to Epcot who will give guests the opportunity to join Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure.  In addition to all the latests bits of news and rumors in the “Quick Takes” portion of the update, expect to also read about the effects of Tropical Storm Fay on the Disney cruise ships, the debut of the Movies, Magic, a Mouse and More collection at the Hollywood Studios, and the Walt Disney World Moms application process opens soon for next year’s panel.

• MICEAGE

And for more Disneyland updates make the jump over to MiceAge’s Monday In the Parks where you’ll find out just how congested things are going to be at the Disneyland Resort in October.  Okay, if you missed my comment above, I’ll reiterate.  READ THIS UPDATE IF YOU’RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND IN OCTOBER.  There’s also coverage of various construction and refurbishment projects, an update from Universal Studios Hollywood, and a visit to a LA restaurant celebrating 100 years and the birth of the French Dipped Sandwich.

• BLUE SKY DISNEY

And while we’re discussing Disney park updates, we might as well discuss blogger Honor Hunter’s new posting where he discusses all of the changes that Disney fans will see at the majority of the Disney parks.  According to Mr. Hunter the two years that Disney fans should keep in mind is 2011 and 2012 as those two years will see the results of all the plans for the Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as the Disneyland Paris Resort.

Major attractions both E and D-Ticket are set to go with the bulk of the changes coming to Disney’s California Adventure Park,

The Resort’s Second Gate should look dramatically different in 2012. The small, little McPark that Eisner and Pressler put together will still have problems(which will start to be fixed in Phase 2 starting in 2013, economy upholding), but for the most part it’s going to be a much more “Disney” experience.

and (finally!) Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The park getting the most love and attention, of course will be Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Although the amount of money is a little more than half of what DCA is getting it will be put to use giving this park a more definite theming change than any other.

• JIM HILL

In a new Toon Tuesday column Jim Hill shares his experience after attending a special tribute to Disney animator Ollie Johnston held in Hollywood.  Ollie Johnston was the last surviving member of a loyal team of Disney animators who came to be known as Walt’s Nine Old Men.  Mr. Johnston passed away earlier this year in April.

• LAUGHINGPLACE

Ken Pellman reviews the new book Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park and from what I can tell from his review summary, he thinks the book is a great one to add to any Disney fan’s collection.

This book should be a mandatory addition to the coffee table or bookshelf of anyone who seriously appreciates theme parks, especially Disney theme parks, or cares to know why they have the look and feel that they do. Anyone interested in the creative process, organizational leadership, or the personality of Walt Disney may also gain some insights.

Show Notes

Hosts: Matt Hochberg, Mike Newell, & Dewey Chaffee
Topics:

• Ace Ventura
• Matt mentions Episode 109 where we talked to Dewey about his character of Francis Floot
• Matt mentions a video of Dewey portraying Ace Ventura
• Dewey talks about how he got the role of being Ace Ventura
• Dewey describes a typical show rundown
• Dewey talks about the stunts he had to perform and how he trained for them
• Dewey shares some stories of when things went wrong during the show
• Dewey shares a story of how resourceful Disney is
• Dewey comments on interacting with guests
• Dewey comments on why the Ace Ventura show ended
• Dewey will be performing Wayburn Sassy on September 11th, 2008 at a fundraiser

www.wdwtoday.com

If you ever wondered whatever became of me, I’m living on the air in Cincinnati… Cincinnati, WMGW. It’s the inaugural episode in our series of music from the parks, movies, television and more, this week centering around the theme of “Sky.” Plus, another joke from Joey and Mouse Guest Kathy wraps up her NFFC trip report!

www.mouseguest.com

“The listener mail has been building up at the Magical Definition Studio, and this week’s show Nathan Rose and Jim Hill get to the questions that listeners have submitted over the past few months with such topics as Star Tours, DreamWorks and Disney Studios similarities, Theme Park improvements over that past decade and more!”

www.magicaldefinitionpodcast.com

“Welcome to The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station. This is show #81 for the week of August 24, 2008, and as always I am your host, Lou Mongello

We’ll start off with some news from Walt Disney World, including a new, interactive experience for Guests, and in the Walt Disney World Rumor Mill, we’ll take a look another add-on, outside-the-park adventure experience that may or may not be coming in the future.

One of my favorite segments on the show are the DSI: Disney Scene Investigations, and this week, we take a look at one of my favorite attractions – Peter Pan’s Flight. We’ll look at the history of the attraction, its roots and connection to Disneyland, examine it scene-by-scene, and explore why it remains such a timeless classic.

There are so many reasons to go to Walt Disney World – family vacation with the kids, honeymooning with your new spouse, the big family reunion, or even the occasional solo research trip. But what about just a bunch of the guys getting together and going away? And instead of places like Myrtle Beach or Las Vegas, what about going to Walt Disney World? Steve “Tikiman” Seifert joins me to talk about going away on a “Mancation” to Walt Disney World, the many things to do outside the parks, and how to get the most out of the experience.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show. .”

www.wdwradio.com

• JIM HILL

The main Disney story that’s caught fire on every Disney discussion board is Jim Hill’s new column in which he reveals that Disney is still planning a fifth park for the Walt Disney Resort that will actually be attached to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.

The new park is supposedly Disney’s response to Discovery Cove which sits adjacent to SeaWorld.  This new park will limit the number of guests that walk through its gates and they’ll have to pay a rather steep admission price of $300 per person.

So what will the new park be called and what will you get for your $300?  You’ll have to make the jump to find out.

• LAUGHINGPLACE

While Jim Hill spills the beans on what’s rumored to be Disney’s fifth park, the folks over at LaughingPlace take a look at what Disney has planned for Disneyland Paris and the Walt Disney Studios Paris.  So what new attractions are rumored for Disney’s European park?  Well, there’s one rumored attraction that definitely caught my eye is the Ratatouille-themed dark ride.

The attraction will use the track-less system that was developed for Tokyo Disneyland’s Pooh’s Hunny Hunt back in 2000 and has not been used for a dark ride at any park since. Guests will be shrunk to the size of Remy as they are chased through the kitchen by Chef Skinner and his cohorts. The attraction will play with scale throughout as the four-man ride vehicles careen around the world of Ratatouille. The attraction has received the approval of John Lasseter as his preferred next E-ticket for the Walt Disney Studios Park.

• MOUSEPLANET

MousePlanet staff writer Jeff Kober offers his thoughts on an important element to providing excellent customer service.

The greatest symbol of customer service is a smile. Having a smile is a part of what makes Disney legendary. For years making eye contact and a smile were the first of Disney’s Seven Service Guidelines. Under Disney’s new Service Basics, Smiling is listed as the first way to project a positive image and energy. It’s been a heritage of Disney’s to have their hosts and hostesses greet others with a smile.

And of course Mr. Kober goes on to say that although you may think a smile is an easy thing to do, just think about having to smile while facing HORDES of people at the park.

Disney may be readying to relaunch Tinker Bell in a series of animated adventures that it hopes will go on to be a big hit with Disney fans.  But before the onslaught of new Tinker Bell films, MousePlanet staff writer Wade Sampson wants to remind Disney fans that to him, there will always be one and only one Tinker Bell, the original voice and inspiration for Tinker Bell, Margaret Kerry.

• MICEAGE

I know there are many people who think that Disney pin collecting is just plain, well, dorky.  But I have to admit that although it may seem that way, it’s amazing how quickly you get caught up in the action of pin collecting especially when you’re scrambling around the park to collect pins as little souvenirs for the folks at home.  MiceAge contributor Kevin Yee takes a look at pin trading from the viewpoint of a child in his new column and discovers that his original critical thoughts of pin trading have changed somewhat.

Show Notes

Hosts: Matt Hochberg, Len testa, Mike Newell , Steve Seifert , & The Fabulous Annette Owens

Topics:

• Listener Questions
• Vinnie wants to know about using two table service dining credits during free dining
• Vinnie also wants to know about paying for a dining plan upgrade
• Jerry of IL wants to know if attendance is down for summer 2008 due to the economy
• Stacey of MO wants to know what building to request for a king size bed at Caribbean Beach and be close to it all
• Stacey also wants to know if she will go crazy without a rental car at Caribbean Beach
• Stacey also want to know if any of the rooms at Caribbean Beach have been updated recently
• Rob of WI wants to know if he can upgrade his tickets he bought on his last trip
• Rob also wants to know the dining plan is good for his entire stay even if he doesn’t get tickets for his entire trip
• Eric of OH wants to know if he can take the monorail at Epcot to the Magic Kingdom in the morning
• JillAnn and Lisa of IN wants to know if it’s worth splurging to stay at the Polynesian
• Chuck of NY wants to know about rides that close down during rain
• Sarah of MO wants to know about an early checkin at the Polynesian at Club Level
• Sarah also wants to know if she should book the Fantasmic! Dinner Package
• Matt mentions an explanation of why the Fantasmic! Dinner package is unnecessary
• Becky of IN wants to know if there are any bounce back offers being offered in September
• Tania of IN wants to know about 2009 rates and packages
• Francina of FL wants to know if she should get a the dining package or stick with her Disney Dining Experience card
• Francina also wants to know about trip insurance
• Evan wants to know if the Podbusters song is available for download
• Click here to listen to the Podbusters song

www.wdwtoday.com

“In this weeks show we’ll discuss our recent visit to DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney. Kevin Klose reviews Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge, as well as Captains Grille at the Yacht Club on this weeks edition of the DIS Unplugged. .”

www.disunplugged.com

• LAUGHING PLACE

Starlight Dreams is the name of the new show currently being performed at Tokyo Disneyland and LaughingPlace has uploaded video and photos of the show.

Photo copyright LaughingPlace

Courtesy of Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine, A look at Tokyo Disneyland’s spectacular new castle show - Starlight Dreams with pictures and a complete video.

• BLUE SKY DISNEY

Blogger Honor Hunter is back with updates on what’s been going on with Disney animation since John Lasseter has taken the helm. He’s got good news and great news about upcoming projects like Bolt, The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel, and more. Mr. Hunter’s sources from within Disney are extremely happy with how the storylines and animation has turned out on the various projects. Make the jump to find out why animators at Disney animation are thrilled about their projects and why it bodes nothing but good for Disney fans.

• JIM HILL

In a new Toon Tuesday column, guest columnist Floyd Norman “pays tribute to all those animation veterans who have hung in there through the tough times.”

If you’re an old guy like me, you’re not surprised by the resilience of the artists in the cartoon business. My lessons began back in the 1950s when I was set straight by the old guys at Disney. The animation veterans who had weathered many a storm in their long careers. Truth is, working in animation is nothing less than a roller coaster ride. You can count on the ups and downs, the good times and the bad. Expansion and contraction is simply part of the business. Those smart enough tend to bail out early. However, the rest of us — the crazy ones who truly love animation — learn how to survive through the difficult times.

• YESTERLAND

Werner Weiss, the online curator to that virtual museum dedicated to Disneyland attractions of the past, has a review of the new book, “Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park.”  The new book is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Disneyland as told from the viewpoint of 29 Imagineering legends.

• O-MEON

Readers of C. W. Oberleitner know the guy is a true Apple geek and have read of his travails trying to update his old iPhone to the new version.  Well, if you got a chuckle out of his tale of the hell he had to go through to get the second phone, you’ll probably find his new column just as funny as he discusses the problems he’s had with the phone service on the 3G iPhone.