The Walt Disney Studios announced the launch of Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour, which will visit 18 malls nationwide beginning Aug. 17, 2007. Previews of upcoming releases of CARS and MEET THE ROBINSONS will be highlighted along with THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movies.
Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour, sponsored by Panasonic, is an interactive exhibit designed to educate consumers about the new high-definition home entertainment technology and will feature interactive kiosks, viewing stations and a special presentation theater where consumers can experience first-hand the capabilities and benefits of Blu-ray Disc technology.
Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour will also focus on providing clarity for the growing consumer confusion around high-definition home entertainment and educating them on the benefits of Blu-ray Disc technology. The tour will kick-off in Los Angeles, beginning Aug. 17 at the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park, and continue in 17 additional locations across the U.S. through Dec. 23. Other cities include Costa Mesa, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Long Island, Boston, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Houston, Austin and Phoenix.
"Disney has always put consumers first and we are here to help everyone understand this amazing new technology," said Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. "It is imperative that we continue to educate and engage consumers as to the advantages and exciting features that are unique to the Blu-ray Disc format. There are so many high-definition enabled households not taking full advantage of its capabilities and we hope to change that with the Disney Magical Blu-ray Tour."
Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour will additionally feature live demonstrations where consumers will get first-hand experience playing the interactive "Liar's Dice" game from PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST. The Mall Tour features six to 14 interactive stations (depending on the size of the mall), which will showcase all aspects of the Blu-ray Disc technology. A special mini theater will host hourly live presentations on Blu-ray high-definition technology. To date, Disney has released such hits as PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, THE PRESTIGE, CHICKEN LITTLE and many more on Blu-ray Disc.
"Our goal with the Disney Magical Blu-ray Tour is to reach as many people as possible and to help educate the consumers across all demographics," added Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Ent. "Our presentations and demo areas will hold something of interest for everyone, from kids and their parents, to older adults and teens. Even early adopters won't be disappointed with the first looks of the bonus materials that we're rolling out for our future titles. Since high-definition is for everyone, we made sure that the Tour elements reflected that as well."
"We are very excited to be working together with Disney to bring Blu-ray technology to consumers in this very personal, grassroots experience," said Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, vp of corporate development & gm, Blu-ray Group for Panasonic. "Consumers will be blown away by the 1080p high definition presentations we have in store for them and are sure to be excited about the biggest new development in home entertainment since the advent of DVD 10 years ago. Also, we are proud that Disney will be displaying these beautiful images on Panasonic Plasma TVs."
Guests who visit Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour in each market can register to win a Blu-ray home entertainment package comprised of a Blu-ray player and a library of Disney Blu-ray Discs.
Walt Disney Studios Home Ent., a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Ent. is a division of The Walt Disney Studios.
Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. (www.panasonic.com), a market and technology leader in high-definition television, is a division of Panasonic Corp. of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC - News) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
