February 2, 2005
It has become increasingly important for us to communicate our business strategies directly with the leaders and communities that play a critical role in our success. This week, our senior executives shared this information with hundreds of business and community leaders from Central Florida and institutional investors from across the country. Bob Iger, president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company, said it best: "We value our community partnerships and believe that by working closely with business and community leaders and keeping you informed of our plans, we can continue to accomplish truly amazing things." Through regular communication in MouseMail and events like this, we continue our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed—direct from Disney.
Disney Park Executives Spell Out Growth Plan for 2005 and Beyond
Walt Disney World® Resort President Al Weiss hosted a breakfast today for more than 150 prominent Central Florida leaders to share our plans for 2005 and beyond. Bob Iger discussed the global growth plan while Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, outlined details around our first-ever global celebration. Happiest Celebration on Earth, set to honor fifty years of Disney theme park magic will begin in May. With every element designed to reconnect people to their first experience at a Disney destination, executives believe the celebration is key to company growth. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts plans to leverage all of the marketing elements—including alliances, publicity, synergy, paid media and the memories we've made with millions of individuals—in order to motivate guests to vacation with Disney this year and the next. Click the photo at right to see a gallery of images from this morning's event.
First Quarter Earnings Report Exceeds Market Expectations
On Monday, The Walt Disney Company exceeded market expectations with its FY 2005 first quarter earnings. Profits rose 5.1 percent while earnings of 35 cents per share compared to 33 cents per share a year earlier demonstrated that the company continues to achieve consistent success. In a statement to Cast Members, Michael Eisner, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said, "Looking forward, we remain confident in our forecast of double-digit earnings growth in 2005, thanks in part to the resurgence in ratings at ABC, the outstanding performance of ESPN and the recovery at our theme parks."
Second On-site Family Day Care Opens at Walt Disney World
The Central Florida YMCA and Walt Disney World Resort recently celebrated the grand opening of the second YMCA Family Center at the Walt Disney World Resort. The new facility, which is open year round, will care for up to 346 children at a time. To date, the two Centers have a combined enrollment of 968, including infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children. Click the photo at right to see a larger image.
Disney Marathon Runners Shed Clothes for Local Charities
If you don’t participate in marathon races, you might find it interesting to know that runners tend to shed layers of clothing during a race. Last month, Cast Members from the Walt Disney World Textile Services team turned this into an opportunity to help others. Runners in the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon shed approximately 7,000 pieces of clothing on the course; however, our Cast Members were not far behind collecting the discarded clothing. The team laundered the items and donated the clothes to local charities including: the Catholic Dioceses, Feed the Children and Harvest Time International. In 2004, due to colder temperatures, local charities received between 30,000-40,000 pieces following the marathon.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Strikes Deal with Georgia-Pacific
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Georgia-Pacific Corporation recently announced a significant multi-year agreement. The 10-year strategic alliance includes marketing and promotional rights, attraction sponsorship and on-site promotional presence at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort and Disney Cruise Line. Georgia-Pacific will sponsor Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, a new attraction opening this spring at Disney-MGM Studios.
Walt Disney World Resort Named Top Destination and Employer
The Walt Disney World Resort was recently designated "best theme park" by two travel trade publications, Travel Weekly (U.S.) and Travel Weekly (U.K.). The resort also picked up accolades from Black Meetings & Tourism who recognized Walt Disney World as the gold standard for its commitment to diversity. The magazine recognized Disney as an organization that makes a "concerted and ongoing effort to embrace the concept of diversity in everything they do."
Disney Vacation Club Growth Ahead of Plan
One of Disney’s best kept secrets is continuing to build momentum. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the newest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort, has sold out of its first phase. The new vacation ownership resort, which opened last spring, continues to open additional phases ahead of schedule. The resort, which has proved popular with guests and DVC members alike, plans to open eight new buildings in its second phase, one every month beginning in March.
Disney Executive George Aguel Honored with Key Industry Awards
George Aguel, senior vice president, Resort/Park Sales, Services & Alliance Development, was recently honored with two prestigious awards. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund presented George with the Don Quijote award. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated commitment to empowering the Hispanic business community. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) also named George one of the 25 most extraordinary sales and marketing minds in hospitality and travel.
Disney's Belle Inspires Youth Reading Habits
A new reading program sponsored by Walt Disney World Co. attracted more than 500 children and adults during the inaugural event in January. Belle from Beauty and the Beast hosted the first in a series of family literacy nights scheduled for the Wee Read Early Literacy Program. This new initiative through the Osceola School District and private child-care providers in Osceola County helps children strengthen early literacy skills. Each child was given two books that were donated by Disney Worldwide Publishing to encourage them to continue reading. Click the photo at right to see a larger image.
Atlanta Braves Return for Baseball Spring Training
The Atlanta Braves are returning to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, February 17–March 31, for their eighth season of baseball spring training. The reigning National League East champions will conduct two weeks of workouts before playing a 16-game home schedule at Cracker Jack Stadium. Last year, the Braves drew crowds of 136,446 fans over 16 games--highest among the 18 Major League Baseball teams who train in Florida.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Disney
MouseMail is a periodic news brief for Central Florida business, community and government leaders, produced by Walt Disney World Co. For information on the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit www.disneyworld.com.
It has become increasingly important for us to communicate our business strategies directly with the leaders and communities that play a critical role in our success. This week, our senior executives shared this information with hundreds of business and community leaders from Central Florida and institutional investors from across the country. Bob Iger, president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company, said it best: "We value our community partnerships and believe that by working closely with business and community leaders and keeping you informed of our plans, we can continue to accomplish truly amazing things." Through regular communication in MouseMail and events like this, we continue our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed—direct from Disney.
Disney Park Executives Spell Out Growth Plan for 2005 and Beyond
Walt Disney World® Resort President Al Weiss hosted a breakfast today for more than 150 prominent Central Florida leaders to share our plans for 2005 and beyond. Bob Iger discussed the global growth plan while Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, outlined details around our first-ever global celebration. Happiest Celebration on Earth, set to honor fifty years of Disney theme park magic will begin in May. With every element designed to reconnect people to their first experience at a Disney destination, executives believe the celebration is key to company growth. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts plans to leverage all of the marketing elements—including alliances, publicity, synergy, paid media and the memories we've made with millions of individuals—in order to motivate guests to vacation with Disney this year and the next. Click the photo at right to see a gallery of images from this morning's event.
First Quarter Earnings Report Exceeds Market Expectations
On Monday, The Walt Disney Company exceeded market expectations with its FY 2005 first quarter earnings. Profits rose 5.1 percent while earnings of 35 cents per share compared to 33 cents per share a year earlier demonstrated that the company continues to achieve consistent success. In a statement to Cast Members, Michael Eisner, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said, "Looking forward, we remain confident in our forecast of double-digit earnings growth in 2005, thanks in part to the resurgence in ratings at ABC, the outstanding performance of ESPN and the recovery at our theme parks."
Second On-site Family Day Care Opens at Walt Disney World
The Central Florida YMCA and Walt Disney World Resort recently celebrated the grand opening of the second YMCA Family Center at the Walt Disney World Resort. The new facility, which is open year round, will care for up to 346 children at a time. To date, the two Centers have a combined enrollment of 968, including infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children. Click the photo at right to see a larger image.
Disney Marathon Runners Shed Clothes for Local Charities
If you don’t participate in marathon races, you might find it interesting to know that runners tend to shed layers of clothing during a race. Last month, Cast Members from the Walt Disney World Textile Services team turned this into an opportunity to help others. Runners in the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon shed approximately 7,000 pieces of clothing on the course; however, our Cast Members were not far behind collecting the discarded clothing. The team laundered the items and donated the clothes to local charities including: the Catholic Dioceses, Feed the Children and Harvest Time International. In 2004, due to colder temperatures, local charities received between 30,000-40,000 pieces following the marathon.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Strikes Deal with Georgia-Pacific
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Georgia-Pacific Corporation recently announced a significant multi-year agreement. The 10-year strategic alliance includes marketing and promotional rights, attraction sponsorship and on-site promotional presence at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort and Disney Cruise Line. Georgia-Pacific will sponsor Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, a new attraction opening this spring at Disney-MGM Studios.
Walt Disney World Resort Named Top Destination and Employer
The Walt Disney World Resort was recently designated "best theme park" by two travel trade publications, Travel Weekly (U.S.) and Travel Weekly (U.K.). The resort also picked up accolades from Black Meetings & Tourism who recognized Walt Disney World as the gold standard for its commitment to diversity. The magazine recognized Disney as an organization that makes a "concerted and ongoing effort to embrace the concept of diversity in everything they do."
Disney Vacation Club Growth Ahead of Plan
One of Disney’s best kept secrets is continuing to build momentum. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the newest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort, has sold out of its first phase. The new vacation ownership resort, which opened last spring, continues to open additional phases ahead of schedule. The resort, which has proved popular with guests and DVC members alike, plans to open eight new buildings in its second phase, one every month beginning in March.
Disney Executive George Aguel Honored with Key Industry Awards
George Aguel, senior vice president, Resort/Park Sales, Services & Alliance Development, was recently honored with two prestigious awards. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund presented George with the Don Quijote award. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated commitment to empowering the Hispanic business community. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) also named George one of the 25 most extraordinary sales and marketing minds in hospitality and travel.
Disney's Belle Inspires Youth Reading Habits
A new reading program sponsored by Walt Disney World Co. attracted more than 500 children and adults during the inaugural event in January. Belle from Beauty and the Beast hosted the first in a series of family literacy nights scheduled for the Wee Read Early Literacy Program. This new initiative through the Osceola School District and private child-care providers in Osceola County helps children strengthen early literacy skills. Each child was given two books that were donated by Disney Worldwide Publishing to encourage them to continue reading. Click the photo at right to see a larger image.
Atlanta Braves Return for Baseball Spring Training
The Atlanta Braves are returning to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, February 17–March 31, for their eighth season of baseball spring training. The reigning National League East champions will conduct two weeks of workouts before playing a 16-game home schedule at Cracker Jack Stadium. Last year, the Braves drew crowds of 136,446 fans over 16 games--highest among the 18 Major League Baseball teams who train in Florida.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Disney
MouseMail is a periodic news brief for Central Florida business, community and government leaders, produced by Walt Disney World Co. For information on the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit www.disneyworld.com.