Yesterday after news broke that The Magic of Disney Animation will be closing at Hollywood Studios, more news broke last night. Disney Quest, located in Downtown Disney, will be closing sometime next year as a date has yet to be announced. It will be closing to make room for the recently announced NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort also set to open next year.
Disney Quest opened in 1998 and was an indoor interactive theme park where guests would pay one fee to enter and be able to play all the games. Annual passes for Disney Quest as well as Water Park/Disney Quest combo passes are no longer available. Current attractions inside Disney Quest that are set to close are: CyberSpace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astroblaster, Virtual Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam, Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, and Invasion! Extraterrestrial Alien Encounter.
Rasulo's Replacement Named: Christine M. McCarthy Named Chief Financial Officer:
As of today Jay Rasulo is no longer the CFO of The Walt Disney Company as he announced his resignation last month. Today, The Walt Disney Company and CEO and Chairman Bob Iger named Rasulo's successor as he named Christine M. McCarthy as Chief Financial Officer of the company. The company also named Kevin Mayer Chief Strategy Officer today.
Iger said in a statement on McCarthy, "Christine has done an incredible job as Disney's treasurer over the past 15 years, and her strong leadership and keen financial acumen make her an ideal Chief Financial Officer. She is highly respected in the finance sector, and in this new role she will have even more impact on creating value for Disney shareholders."
McCarthy will now oversee Investor Relations, Corporate Planning and Control, Tax, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Real Estate, Facilities, Integrated Supply Chain Management, and Corporate Citizenship. She will report directly to Iger. She was most recently the Executive Vice President, Corporate Real Estate, Alliances and Treasurer where she developed a finance team responsible for treasury, corporate finance, capital markets, financial risk, international treasury and investments, credit, and risk management.
McCarthy said this in release, "I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with the role of CFO of this incredibly dynamic company. Under Bob's leadership, Disney has delivered record results, and I look forward to working with our talented senior management team as we build on the company's financial strength and strong balance sheet to deliver shareholder value."
Mr. Mayer has been the Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development since 2005. In his new role as Chief Strategy Officer he will oversee Corporate Strategy, Business Development, Acquisitions, Enterprise Information Technology, Innovation, Brand and Franchise Management, and Global Corporate Alliances. Mr. Mayer will report jointly to Mr. Iger and Tom Staggs, COO of Disney.
Igor said in the statement release on Mayer, "Kevin has overseen Corporate Strategy and Business Development at a time of unprecedented growth for Disney, playing an integral role in our successful acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilms. With this promotion to the new role of Chief Strategy Officer he will continue to focus on growth opportunities and help position the company for the future."
In the release Mayer also released a statement saying, "I'm extremely gratified to be given this opportunity to further expand Disney's assets and businesses. Disney's growth has been incredible these past several years, and I am proud of the role my group has played in facilitating that expansion and excited by the strategic opportunities that lie ahead for the company."
It All Started With a Mouse would like to congratulate both Ms. McCarthy and Mr. Mayer on their promotions within The Walt Disney Company.
Mickey Mouse Club's 60th Anniversary and More to be Celebrated at D23 EXPO:
The D23 EXPO is saying come along and join the jamboree as it is set celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Mickey Mouse Club in a presentation set for Sunday, August 16th at 5 p.m. in Stage 23. The presentation will be hosted by author Lorraine Santoli (The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book). The presentation will also include original Mouseketeers: Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Tommy Cole, Darlene Gillespie, Cubby O'Brien, and Doreen Tracey, along with actors Tim Considine (Spin Evans) and David Stollery (Marty Markham) will include a one-of-a-kind performance filled with memories, music, and magic.
In addition to the panel, the Disney Dream Store will offer a small collection of 60th anniversary Mickey Mouse Club items to mark the occasion. Also, several of the Mouseketeers will be available for a signing opportunity at D23 EXPO Autograph Central on the show floor on Sunday from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Plus, guests will be able to see Mouseketeer Annette Funicello’s original Disney Legend handprints on display for the first time outside the Walt Disney Studios lot. The handprints, taken on October 21, 1992, when Funicello was inducted as a Disney Legend, will be presented in one of the show floor’s “photo spots.” There will also be a collection of props and costumes from Mickey Mouse Club Circus in “Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit.”
Other presentations planned include:
Friday, August 14, 10 a.m., Stage 28
Be prepared for your Disneyland-loving spirit to soar when the Ambassador of Americana takes you to the granddaddy of all theme parks when it opened. With his spectacular collection of “found” mid-century-era Kodachrome images, unbridled enthusiasm, and keen eye for detail, Charles shares the early days of Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland. See long-gone attractions, including the Phantom Boats, Flying Saucers, the Indian Village, PeopleMover, House of the Future, Carousel of Progress, and the original Tomorrowland—promoted as “The World of 1986”—and the all-new Tomorrowland in 1967. Your imagination will be inspired!
Disneyland Home Movies
Friday, August 14, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28
While Disneyland is one of the most photographed places on earth, this collection of one-of-a-kind footage and photography offers a unique viewpoint from another time. From the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Randy Haberkamp, Managing Director of Preservation and Foundation Programs; Lynne Kirste, Special Collections Curator; and surprise special guests will take guests on a journey from Walt’s inspirations for Disneyland to the park’s opening and evolution, as captured on film. Suzanne Lloyd joins the presentation to showcase her grandfather Harold Lloyd’s stunning photography of Disneyland taken the week before the opening and on opening day.
Friday, August 14, 6 p.m., Stage 28
Fans of A Goofy Movie won’t want to miss this special commemoration of the beloved Disney animated feature, which turns 20 in 2015. Film producer Don Hahn hosts a panel of A Goofy Movietalent––including Disney Legend Bill Farmer (Goofy), Jason Marsden (Max), Jim Cummings (Pete), Rob Paulsen (P.J.), and writer Jymn Magon––who will share behind-the-scenes stories and surprising anecdotes from the fan-favorite musical.
Saturday, August 15, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28
This fall, PBS will premiere a new two-part, four-hour film exploring the life and legacy of Walt Disney as part of the American Experience series. Go behind the scenes with the team who brought the project together for a special sneak peek of the film: moderator Don Hahn (film producer, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King), Sarah Colt (director/producer, American Experience: Walt Disney), Neal Gabler (biographer, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination), and Becky Cline, the Director of the Walt Disney Archives.
Sunday, August 16, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28
Since 2010, D23 Destination D events have offered D23 Members the chance to celebrate their favorite Disney subjects with unique and in-depth presentations from Disney Legends, Imagineers, animators, and others who have made magic on film, at Disney theme parks, and beyond. At D23 EXPO 2015, D23 is bringing two popular presentations from prior Destination D events together for a celebration of Walt Disney World® Resort—including a look back to its construction, early development, and favorite attractions of the past with Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith. Then, Imagineer Jason Grandt will provide a modern look at Disney Parks and offer a designer’s point of view of details and “Easter Eggs” found throughout different attractions.
The D23 Expo will take place August 14-16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
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