Disney Has Box Office Mojo

Movie website www.Boxofficemojo.com keeps a running tab of the top-grossing movies worldwide, and Disney makes a very impressive showing--taking 5 of the top 10 spots. Did I mention that three of those are from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise?  Here are the top 10 (Disney titles are in bold):

1. Avatar

2. Titanic

3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

5. Toy Story 3

6. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

7. The Dark Knight

8. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Move Over Pirates, the Mermaids Are Here

Starting today, apiring mermaids can purchase a Mermaid Transformation Package at the Pirate's League (near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom). For $29.95, guests will have makeup applied, including a facial gem, and have a hairstyle that includes an accessory. They'll also go home with a full-sized bottle of OPI's Pirates of the Caribbean: Mermaid Tears nail polish as well as a mini OPI nail lacquer set. Oh, and don't forget the special Pirates League sheath!  Not a bad deal, when compared with the prices of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This offer is for a limited time, ending July 2. You can make reservations for the Pirate's League by calling 407-WDW-CREW.

Kermit Reports from Black Carpet

copyright Disney

I was a Sesame Street kid. Watched it every weekday, then caught the recap of all five weekday episodes on Saturday. And maybe my favorite thing on Sesame Street (I mean the old Sesame Street) was when Kermit the Frog would do a "breaking news report," usually featuring a fairytale or children's story. (My favorite was the Rapunzel one!)

I'm excited to tell you that Kermit is once again reporting the news--well, entertainment news, at least. He got back in the groove at the world premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean:On Stranger Tides at Disneyland on Monday. It's comedy gold, I tell you! Oh, and he's plugging his new movie too, The Muppets (coming in time for Thanksgiving 2011).

You can watch Kermit in action here.

Guests Greet a New "Pirate"

There's a new character meet-n-greet happening at the Adventureland Veranda in the Magic Kingdom. Guests can now meet Angelica, the daughter of Blackbeard who will be played by Penelope Cruz in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. I hear that Angelica speaks with a Spanish accent (makes sense), and of course she is quite a beauty. She's on the lookout for Jack Sparrow, and she'll tell you of their previous run-ins.

We're looking forward to meeting Angelica on our next visit!

Tidbits from CinemaCon

CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO (that's National Association of Theatre Owners...not to be confused with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is happening this week in Las Vegas. Disney had several announcements to make and info to share. Here are just a few of the details that have surfaced concerning upcoming Disney projects:

• Cars 2 is going to be better than the first, if you can believe its star Larry the Cable Guy: "This second movie is so good, I’m ashamed I was in the first one." We think he was kidding. But with Michael Caine joining the cast as a British spy, we're certainly in for some laughs!


• The Muppets will start Jason Segall and Amy Adams, who made an appearance at the show. Have you seen the movie's title treatment? Not sure how I feel about the headless Kermit.


• 3D footage of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (and of Cars 2) was shown to exhibitors. In this 4th installment, Jack Sparrow is searching for the Fountain of Youth. Penelope Cruz also stars as a female pirate--girl power!


• Despite their $4 billion purchase of Marvel Entertainment, Disney will NOT be distributing the two Marvel movies this summer, Thor and Captain America. Paramount will. Instead, Disney will produce its own superhero film, The Avengers.


• Studio Chairman Rich Ross and Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter were noticeably absent.