DISNEY ONLINE DEVELOPING 'PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN' MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER INTERNET GAME
Follow-up to Disney's Toontown Online Will Feature Interactive Adventures Inspired by the Popular Pirates Theme Park Attraction and Franchise
North Hollywood, Calif.
Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, is developing a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the popular theme park attraction and franchise "Pirates of the Caribbean." The game is slated to debut in summer 2006, coinciding with the theatrical premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
(ed note: The game's release has been moved to 2007, but it will be available for preview at the Electronic Entertainment Expo running May 10-12, 2006)
Image © Disney
"We've learned through our experience with Toontown that the market for massively multiplayer online role-playing games can indeed reach beyond traditional gamers," stated Ken Goldstein, EVP and managing director, Disney Online. "Pirates of the Caribbean is the perfect franchise for our second commercial effort in this arena. Fans of the movies and theme park attraction will be able to live their own unfolding pirate adventure through the game, including searching for lost treasures and battling numerous enemies on land and at sea."
Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, added, "This is a great way for game enthusiasts to experience the fun and excitement of playing the role of a pirate while competing against a wide variety of opponents in a great adventure. This game captures the same swashbuckling sense of humor, spirit and action that moviegoers loved in the first 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, and which will continue with the next installment of the highly anticipated sequel in summer 2006. Disney Online has created a really entertaining and challenging game that will appeal to the adventurer in all of us."
Image © Disney
The game is being designed by the Walt Disney Internet Group's acclaimed VR Studio as a world of high seas action and adventure where players will personalize their own pirate character and organize with other players to form a pirate crew. Players will then embark on swashbuckling missions to battle both each other and the evil, undead pirates of the high seas in an effort to become the Caribbean's most legendary pirate. Access to the game will be available directly online and players will pay a subscription fee for the service. An information site for the game has been launched at www.pirateslegend.com offering a registration service to sign-up to receive future game updates and launch information.
Buena Vista Games (BVG), the videogame arm of The Walt Disney Company, will release additional titles based on "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" for the PSP portable entertainment system and Nintendo DS in conjunction with the movie launch.
Disney Online
Disney Online (www.disney.com) produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1995, Disney.com is designed to reflect the vision of an "online theme park," providing an interactive gateway to all of the company's many Disney-branded Internet initiatives. Popular Disney Online places to visit include The Disney Channel (www.disneychannel.com), Playhouse Disney (www.playhousedisney.com), shopping at Disney Direct (www.disneydirect.com), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (www.disneydestinations.com) Walt Disney Pictures (www.disneypictures.com), Disney DVD & Video (www.disneyvideos.com) and Radio Disney (www.radiodisney.com).
Among the many magical "neighborhoods" found at www.Disney.com are premium subscription services including Disney's Blast (www.disneyblast.com) and the recently announced Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online (www.preschooltime.com). Disney Online also produces FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com), the premier online family resource for "great ideas, practical advice, and fun stuff to do" as well as Movies.com (www.movies.com), a leading site that provides a broad array of reviews and information to help movie fans "get movie night right." Disney Online is a part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational services for Internet, broadband, and mobile initiatives of The Walt
Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).
Disney's Toontown Online
Disney Online's first MMO, the award-winning Disney's Toontown Online (www.toontown.com) launched in 2003 as the first 3D MMORPG created for kids and families. Designed as an Internet-based world of non-stop play, ever-changing adventure and irreverent fun, Toontown combines elements of traditional video games, online community and strategic role playing games. Developed by the Walt Disney Internet Group's in-house VR Studio, Toontown has received numerous awards, including 2004 Game Industry News Family Game of the Year, 2003 MMORPG Game of the Year by Computer Gaming World, 2003 Webby Awards People's Voice Award in the Kid's Category, 2003 Parent's Choice Silver Honor and 2003 Children's Software Review All Star Award.
(source: Disney Online)
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Press Release
DISNEYLAND RESORT ANNOUNCES DEBUT OF DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA FOOD AND WINE WEEKENDS 2006 APRIL 27 - MAY 21
Inaugural Event Provides a Menu of Celebrity Chef Dinners, Culinary Demonstrations, Winemaker Dinners, Sommelier Seminars and Festival Marketplaces
ANAHEIM, Calif.
An adventure in culinary delights and spirits await guests to the first-ever presentation of Disney's California Food and Wine Weekends 2006 (April 27 -- May 21) at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California, part of the continuing Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration. Four extended weekends (Thursday -- Sunday) will welcome everyone from fine wine connoisseurs and skilled epicures to lovers of good food and wine neophytes wanting to experience and learn more about the world-renowned flavors of California cuisine.
"This all-new event will allow us to engage our guests in a series of unbelievable culinary showcases that will not only highlight some of the greatest chefs and winemakers in California, but also many of our award-winning resort restaurants," said Matt Ouimet, president of the Disneyland Resort. "From the marketplace food samplings in Disney's California Adventure to the amazing celebrity chef dinners at the Napa Rose, this is just another great highlight of our 50th anniversary celebration."
Each weekend begins Thursday evening with a reservation-only Celebrity Chef Dinner at the acclaimed Napa Rose restaurant at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. Guests can mingle with stars of the culinary world as they present their own signature vintners' menus including wine pairings that showcase their gastronomic talents in this exciting experience. Participating chefs include Chef Michael Cimarusti from Providence (Los Angeles), Chef Carl Schroeder from Arterra (San Diego), Chef James Boyce from Studio at the Montage Resort (Laguna Beach) and Chef Michael White from Fiamma (Las Vegas).
Friday evenings come alive with a series of exquisite Winemaker Dinners featuring a multi-course meal with outstanding wine pairings. Each dinner will be hosted by a renowned winemaker including Charlie Campbell (Silver Oak Vineyards), Brian Harlan and a representative from Sauza Tequila (Reisling & tequila pairings), Dan Karlson (Chalone Vineyards), plus Scott Mcleod and Rebecca Chapa (Francis Ford Coppola's Winery "The Rubicon Estate"). The location for the 6:00pm reservation-only dinners will alternate weekly and include, The Vineyard Room at the Golden Vine Winery at Disney's California Adventure Park and Granville's Steakhouse at the Disneyland Hotel.
Each weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) will also feature a series of events inside Disney's California Adventure park including Festival Marketplaces, Wine, Beer and Spirits Seminars and Culinary Demonstrations:
Festival Marketplaces in the park's Bountiful Valley Farm and Pacific Wharf areas will offer a delectable array of appetizer-size gourmet food samplings ($4-$5 each).
Wine, Beer and Spirits Seminars at the Golden Vine Winery will be led by a noted winemaker, master brewer or Disneyland Resort sommelier. Each day features four complimentary 45-minute sessions that showcase selected wines, beers or spirits from the event
Culinary Demonstrations - Four complimentary cooking demonstrations presented by Disneyland Resort chefs take place each day and last approximately 45 minutes during this al fresco culinary experience on the Vineyard Room terrace located in Disney's California Adventure.
A highlight of each Saturday from 10:00am -- 1:30pm is the reservation-only Napa Rose Cooking School featuring Executive Chef Andrew Sutton or Executive Sous Chef Jeffrey Cummins of Disney's award-winning Napa Rose restaurant. Sutton or Cummins will facilitate an interactive cooking and learning experience where Guests will create a themed meal together and enjoy it with appropriately paired wines at the conclusion of the class. The class is located in the elegant Napa Rose at Disney's Grand California Hotel.
On Saturdays and Sundays guests will literally be able to Lunch and Learn as they enjoy a three-course lunch prepared by Disney chefs and learn as they watch them demonstrate their cooking expertise during this unique experience. A notable wine principal will also be on hand to present wines with each course. Noted Chef Jamie Gwen will be hosting the proceedings on April 30 and May 7. One seating is scheduled per day from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
Designed to give a balanced academic and tasting introduction to the major wine styles and regions, the Sunday Guest Sommelier Education Seminars round-out the weekend's festivities. The Sommelier Seminars include basic training in wine tasting as well as key features of labeling laws, grape varietals, viticulture and vinification. Seminars are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 pm on Sundays only and run approximately 90 minutes in length. Seminars take place at the "Seasons of the Vine" attraction in Disney's California Adventure.
More information about the Disney's California Food and Wine Weekends 2006 (Calendar of events, prices, etc.), Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration and vacations at the Disneyland Resort is available at www.disneyland.com, by calling (877) 700-DISNEY, or by visiting local travel agents.
(source: Disneyland Resort News)
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