In a very interesting interview, the Wall Street Journal’s Venture Capital Dispatch blog hears from Jeremy Liew, a partner with one Playdom’s venture capital investors, about why he thinks Disney bought the social gaming company and where they’re headed.
According to the Liew, it made sense for Disney to go after Playdom, a smaller- and lower-priced social gaming company than industry leader Zynga. Valued in the billions, Zynga has become almost too expensive for acquisition, while secondary characters Playdom (acquired by Disney) and Playfish (acquired by Electronic Arts) both sold for …

It has finally been announced officially that the Main Street Electrical Parade will be staying on indefinitely at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
This announcement comes from the Disney Parks Blog, with the promise that the beloved and historical parade will continue an open-ended run after Summer Nightastic ends on August 14th.
It’s probably no surprise to hear that the parade has been one of our highest rated entertainment experiences at Magic Kingdom Park since returning in early June. It’s been an “overwhelming success,” according to Park Vice President Phil Holmes. And …

The Chinese folktale “Mulan,” previously adapted by Disney in their 1998 animated film of the same name, will soon return to the screen. However, this time it will be in live-action and 3D. Channel News Asia reports that Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi will both produce and star in the new film, which is expected to go into production in China in October.
The story, similar to the animated film, will revolve around Hua Mulan (played by Zhang), who enlists in the Chinese army in place of her elderly father, despite the …

Dating back to a Disneyland tradition from 1963, every morning strong and dedicated Disney Cast Members arrive pre-dawn at the Magic Kingdom for one month to participate in Walt Disney World’s “Canoe Races of the World (C.R.O.W.).” The friendly competition first made it’s way over to Walt Disney World in 1973 showcasing the physical strength & team-building abilities of it’s cast member participants. This year there were 79 teams to participate in the beloved activity.
A co-ed team dubbed “Shut Up and Let Me Row… HEY!” from Disney’s Animal Kingdom …

Disney announced today it’s official plans to purchase the social gaming company Playdom, claiming that the deal should be closed by the end of the 2010 fiscal year. Playdom produces online games like Mobsters, Sorority Life, and Tiki Farm that are played mostly through popular social media websites like Facebook and My Space. ClikZ.com is reporting that the Playdom CEO, John Pleasants, has already been named EVP of the Disney Interactive Media Group.
So what does this mean for online social gaming & Disney? Well, even though Disney is …

President of ABC Entertainment, Stephen McPherson, announced his resignation from the network yesterday. With his contract set to expire in September 2011, the resignation comes at a surprising time, with only two months until the fall TV season begins and six days until the ABC executives are set to tout the networks newest shows to TV critics in Beverly Hills.
The resignation comes, the Los Angeles Times reports, because of “repeated clashes with his bosses,” such as Anne Sweeney, the president of the Disney ABC Television Group. These clashes were said …