"Analysts at Goldman Sachs are forecasting attendance at Disney’s U.S. parks will fall as much as 10 percent this year.
The firm, which downgraded shares in the Walt Disney Co. from “buy” to “neutral” last week, expects attendance declines at Walt Disney World and Disneyland to accelerate later this year. Goldman estimates that year-over-year attendance fell 4 percent during Disney’s second fiscal quarter, which ended Saturday, and that it will fall 5 percent in the third quarter and then 10 percent in the fourth, which runs from July through September.
Attendance at Disney World and Disneyland fell about 5 percent during the company’s first quarter, which ended Dec. 27.
Goldman says the attendance declines would be stepper were it not for Disney’s buy four nights, get three free hotel promotion. But that comes with its own costs – the firm projects that Disney’s hotel-room revenue will sink as much as 30 percent from a year ago."
Full Article:
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
What You Do To Protect Your Kids While at Walt Disney World?
Here are some suggestions from parents on DISboards.com:
We always go to the bathroom with our kids, never let them go alone.
We also never allow the kids in any of the resort elevators alone.
Any ride or show the kids sit between adults. (room permitted)
Any dark pre-show (HISTA, Ellen) we hold hands so we always know where they are at.
In waiting lines we always have the girls between us.
We take their pic each morning so we know what they were wearing in case of them getting lost.
Oldest carries a cell phone to call us if we get seperated.
We always go to the bathroom with our kids, never let them go alone.
We also never allow the kids in any of the resort elevators alone.
Any ride or show the kids sit between adults. (room permitted)
Any dark pre-show (HISTA, Ellen) we hold hands so we always know where they are at.
In waiting lines we always have the girls between us.
We take their pic each morning so we know what they were wearing in case of them getting lost.
Oldest carries a cell phone to call us if we get seperated.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Disney Interactive Studios Announces Toy Story Mania!, Inspired by the Disney/Pixar Feature Film "Toy Story," Exclusively for Wii - Yahoo! Finance
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature “Toy Story,” will be released exclusively for the Wii™ home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar “Toy Story” franchise.
“The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.”
In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.
The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games.
Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.
“The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.”
In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.
The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games.
Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.
Balloon set to drift over Downtown Disney by
The new balloon ride at Downtown Disney is nearing completion. Orlando Sentinel has some pictures of the baloon that will be used to carry guests 400 feet in the air.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Orlando Sentinel - Video of the shuttle Discovery lifting off, as seen from the Beach Club resort by
The following link has a video of the launch of Discovery as seen from Disney. I thought it was pretty cool. My parents called me Sunday night from Sebring, FL to tell me they had witnessed the shuttle launch. Sebring is about 100 miles away or so. I would dearly love to see a night launch!
Orlando Sentinel - Video of the shuttle Discovery lifting off, as seen from the Beach Club resort by
Orlando Sentinel - Video of the shuttle Discovery lifting off, as seen from the Beach Club resort by
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Orlando Sentinel - More parents feed their kids apples instead of fries at Disney parks on Tourism Central Florida
Whether by default or by choice, it appears Disney’s theme-park guests are opting to feed their kids healthier foods while eating in the parks.
Since Disney’s theme-park restaurants in 2006 overhauled their kids-meal menus to make healthier dishes the default selection for both side orders (ie: apple slices instead of French fries) and drinks (milk instead of soft drinks), Disney says the majority of its guests are picking the nutritious options.
According to company data, 65 percent of guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland ordered the healthier side dish and 68 percent ordered the healthier drink last year during Disney’s fiscal fourth quarter, which runs July through September.
Guests at Disney’s international parks were even more nutritious. In Hong Kong, 98 percent chose the healthier side and 96 percent chose the healthier drink. And in Paris, 85 percent chose the healthier drink – though just 15 percent picked the healthier side.
The data were culled from 485 Disney-operated restaurants.
Orlando Sentinel - More parents feed their kids apples instead of fries at Disney parks on Tourism Central Florida
So, what do you order for your kids when you are at Disney? I'd say it's about 50/50 for us. I think it's partly the hot weather, the lack of variety for kids, and a need for fiber in their diet (our kids seem to have trouble with regularity when traveling) rather than "healthy" per se. I can't say we worry about being healthy all that much when we are on vacation.
Since Disney’s theme-park restaurants in 2006 overhauled their kids-meal menus to make healthier dishes the default selection for both side orders (ie: apple slices instead of French fries) and drinks (milk instead of soft drinks), Disney says the majority of its guests are picking the nutritious options.
According to company data, 65 percent of guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland ordered the healthier side dish and 68 percent ordered the healthier drink last year during Disney’s fiscal fourth quarter, which runs July through September.
Guests at Disney’s international parks were even more nutritious. In Hong Kong, 98 percent chose the healthier side and 96 percent chose the healthier drink. And in Paris, 85 percent chose the healthier drink – though just 15 percent picked the healthier side.
The data were culled from 485 Disney-operated restaurants.
Orlando Sentinel - More parents feed their kids apples instead of fries at Disney parks on Tourism Central Florida
So, what do you order for your kids when you are at Disney? I'd say it's about 50/50 for us. I think it's partly the hot weather, the lack of variety for kids, and a need for fiber in their diet (our kids seem to have trouble with regularity when traveling) rather than "healthy" per se. I can't say we worry about being healthy all that much when we are on vacation.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando makes rich travelers' wish lists on Tourism Central Florida
According to the survey results, three in ten affluent leisure travelers are interested in visiting New York City and Las Vegas during the next two years. One in four is interested in visiting Maui, San Francisco and Honolulu, and approximately two in ten are interested in traveling to Orlando or San Diego. Four new destinations made the top ten domestic list in the most recent iteration of the survey, which is conducted every two years: Honolulu, Orlando, Napa/Sonoma and Hilton Head Island.
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando makes rich travelers' wish lists on Tourism Central Florida
This is pretty fascinating stuff. You are talking about people here who can basically afford to vacation where they want (within reason). I realize we're not talking about the rich and famous, but $150K/year is probably enough to afford to go to Europe if you want. So 2 out 10 of these people surveyed are interested in going to Orlando! Wow! That helps explain how Disney is able to keep all those deluxe resorts filled all the time. I'm always amazed when I go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, etc. and realize they have those huge resorts filled to capacity almost all the time for hundreds of dollars per night per room. More power to them!
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando makes rich travelers' wish lists on Tourism Central Florida
This is pretty fascinating stuff. You are talking about people here who can basically afford to vacation where they want (within reason). I realize we're not talking about the rich and famous, but $150K/year is probably enough to afford to go to Europe if you want. So 2 out 10 of these people surveyed are interested in going to Orlando! Wow! That helps explain how Disney is able to keep all those deluxe resorts filled all the time. I'm always amazed when I go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, etc. and realize they have those huge resorts filled to capacity almost all the time for hundreds of dollars per night per room. More power to them!
Orlando Sentinel - Disney theme-park bookings have slowed despite discounts on Tourism Central Florida
Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger said this evening that theme-park bookings have slowed, despite the company's heavy discounting efforts.
"We're on par with where we were a year ago. But we're discounting in the marketplace," Iger told analysts at the Deutsche Bank Securities media and telecom conference. "So the bottom line will be affected somewhat by that."
Disney had said in early February that bookings between January and June were running slightly ahead of last year's pace, thanks largely to its seven nights for the price of four hotel-and-ticket promotion.
Still, the Disney chief pointed to the recent opening of the new American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios as evidence that the company will keep making long-term investments in its parks despite the deep recession.
"We'll continue to look at opportunities like that," Iger said. "We'll continue to invest carefully and selectively and strategically."
Orlando Sentinel - Disney theme-park bookings have slowed despite discounts on Tourism Central Florida
It's interesting to see how Disney is weathering the economic downturn. If I read this correctly, sounds like their discounts are mostly working when it comes to actually getting vistors to the parks, but those guests are spending less while they are there.
One has to be encouraged that Iger still sees the need for investing in the parks even during tough times. They will need to be positioned to take advantage of the recovery, when it happens, since Harry Potter's Wizarding World will, in my opinion, draw a lot of folks away from Disney, for the first time.
I'm still hoping that Disney will come out with some even better deals before all is said and done. It's a buyer's market for the vacationer!
"We're on par with where we were a year ago. But we're discounting in the marketplace," Iger told analysts at the Deutsche Bank Securities media and telecom conference. "So the bottom line will be affected somewhat by that."
Disney had said in early February that bookings between January and June were running slightly ahead of last year's pace, thanks largely to its seven nights for the price of four hotel-and-ticket promotion.
Still, the Disney chief pointed to the recent opening of the new American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios as evidence that the company will keep making long-term investments in its parks despite the deep recession.
"We'll continue to look at opportunities like that," Iger said. "We'll continue to invest carefully and selectively and strategically."
Orlando Sentinel - Disney theme-park bookings have slowed despite discounts on Tourism Central Florida
It's interesting to see how Disney is weathering the economic downturn. If I read this correctly, sounds like their discounts are mostly working when it comes to actually getting vistors to the parks, but those guests are spending less while they are there.
One has to be encouraged that Iger still sees the need for investing in the parks even during tough times. They will need to be positioned to take advantage of the recovery, when it happens, since Harry Potter's Wizarding World will, in my opinion, draw a lot of folks away from Disney, for the first time.
I'm still hoping that Disney will come out with some even better deals before all is said and done. It's a buyer's market for the vacationer!
GM's last lap on Epcot's Test Track? -- OrlandoSentinel.com
One of Walt Disney World's marquee sponsorship deals is in jeopardy.
Struggling U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp. is considering pulling out as sponsor of Test Track, the high-speed Epcot attraction among the most popular rides in all of Disney World.
A 10-year contract between Disney and GM expires this year. And GM, which lost $31billion last year and is relying on loans from the federal government to stay in business, may not be able to afford to renew the pact.
Disney and GM are negotiating new terms but have so far been unable to strike a deal. GM has indicated it wants a resolution by the end of this month.
"We're still in discussions with them and haven't made a decision," GM spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato said. "It's definitely one that I think people are doing everything they can to preserve."
It is a lucrative partnership for Disney: Though neither company would discuss the terms, Automotive News reported last month that GM pays Disney close to $5million a year.
GM and other original corporate sponsors in Epcot, which opened in 1982, paid as much as $35million over 10years for their initial contracts, according to a former Epcot executive. The German engineering giant Siemens AG is currently paying Disney a reported $100million over 12years to sponsor Epcot's Spaceship Earth attraction.
Disney would not discuss details of its talks with GM.
"We continue to have a relationship with General Motors and are having ongoing discussions about continuing our relationship," spokeswoman Kim Prunty said Tuesday.
For GM, the marketing advantages of its Test Track sponsorship are obvious. The attraction is a top draw in Epcot, which lures an estimated 11million visitors each year, making it the second-busiest theme park at Disney World and the third-busiest in the United States.
The ride features vehicles, controlled by onboard computers, that carry guests through a series of simulated car-safety tests. During the 5 1/2-minute ride, guests are exposed to 100-degree temperature changes; bounced around hairpin turns; and hurtled through a final, outdoor sprint that reaches 60mph — the fastest top speed of any ride at Disney World.
Logo everywhere
GM's presence is everywhere. The carmaker's corporate logo is splashed throughout the pavilion that houses the ride. The queue includes a room featuring aerial photos of GM "proving grounds" around the world, from a desert track in Mesa, Ariz., to a cold-weather course in northern Ontario. Guests exit through a swanky showroom displaying more than a dozen GM vehicles and a gift shop hawking pink Cadillac ball caps, die-cast Corvettes and electronic-toy Hummers.
There are even computer terminals and a customer-service desk for guests to order GM sales brochures.
When the ride debuted in March 1999, GM's then-vice president for marketing and advertising in North America said it would "help build brand awareness, corporate image and ultimately introduce new customers to GM dealers and our products."
The benefits extend beyond advertising. Disney also purchases GM vehicles — including Chevy Trailblazers and Silverados and Saturn Vue hybrids — for its corporate fleet as part of the sponsorship deal, according to people familiar with the arrangement.
But as valuable as the pact is to GM, the company may no longer be able to afford it. The automaker has warned that it could go bankrupt without as much as $16.6billion in loans from the U.S. government — on top of $13.4billion in taxpayer loans it has already received.
GM would not be the first major corporate sponsor to drop out at Epcot. General Electric, ExxonMobil and AT&T are all former sponsors, while newcomers include Siemens and Hewlett-Packard. Theme-park analysts also say they are certain Test Track would continue operating even if GM pulled out, as the ride's capacity is vital to managing park crowds.
But losing GM would further pressure profits at Disney World, which is relying on deep hotel and ticket discounts to keep visitors coming despite the struggling economy.
Replacements?
Finding a replacement sponsor also could be tricky. A rival company is unlikely to want to take over a GM ride without making substantial changes, said Steve Baker, a former Epcot executive in charge of corporate sponsorships.
"Anybody coming in paying that kind of money would want their own fingerprints," said Baker, who is now president of Baker Leisure Group, an Orlando themed-entertainment consulting firm.
The most likely targets for a replacement sponsor at Test Track would be other car manufacturers. But the entire industry is struggling as the global recession depresses auto sales.
Marketing executives at Toyota Motor Corp. have discussed internally the prospect of sponsoring Test Track. But Joe Tetherow, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Sales USA, said "it would be premature to speculate on what's going to happen."
"We're cutting a lot of costs right now," Tetherow said. "But, obviously, there's going to be opportunities from time to time that come along that we might want to take a look at."
GM's last lap on Epcot's Test Track? -- OrlandoSentinel.com
I understand Disney's need/desire for sponsorship of the pavilions at Epcot, but I have to wonder how effective this really is for the sponsor. Perhaps the time is ripe to look to new ways for Disney to fund their pavilions. Instead of one mega sponsor, perhaps they should look for numerous smaller innovative car companies that could have "booths" at FastTrack. Maybe it would allow the public to actually get educated about automotive innovation instead of having one company try to push their line of cars.
I would love to see some of the X-Prize cars, for instance, at FastTrack. Or how about something that actually demonstrates hydrogen power, electric vehicles, bio-fuels, etc. It just seems like there are lots of options for "sponsors" that could actually provide interesting information/demonstrations rather than a car showroom.
I'd hate to see TestTrack go the way of the Wonders of Life pavilion, but I frankly wouldn't even notice if GM wasn't there anymore. If GM is going to take my money in the form of taxes, then I sure want to know they are using it wisely. I'm not convinced TestTrack is all that great a use.
Struggling U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp. is considering pulling out as sponsor of Test Track, the high-speed Epcot attraction among the most popular rides in all of Disney World.
A 10-year contract between Disney and GM expires this year. And GM, which lost $31billion last year and is relying on loans from the federal government to stay in business, may not be able to afford to renew the pact.
Disney and GM are negotiating new terms but have so far been unable to strike a deal. GM has indicated it wants a resolution by the end of this month.
"We're still in discussions with them and haven't made a decision," GM spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato said. "It's definitely one that I think people are doing everything they can to preserve."
It is a lucrative partnership for Disney: Though neither company would discuss the terms, Automotive News reported last month that GM pays Disney close to $5million a year.
GM and other original corporate sponsors in Epcot, which opened in 1982, paid as much as $35million over 10years for their initial contracts, according to a former Epcot executive. The German engineering giant Siemens AG is currently paying Disney a reported $100million over 12years to sponsor Epcot's Spaceship Earth attraction.
Disney would not discuss details of its talks with GM.
"We continue to have a relationship with General Motors and are having ongoing discussions about continuing our relationship," spokeswoman Kim Prunty said Tuesday.
For GM, the marketing advantages of its Test Track sponsorship are obvious. The attraction is a top draw in Epcot, which lures an estimated 11million visitors each year, making it the second-busiest theme park at Disney World and the third-busiest in the United States.
The ride features vehicles, controlled by onboard computers, that carry guests through a series of simulated car-safety tests. During the 5 1/2-minute ride, guests are exposed to 100-degree temperature changes; bounced around hairpin turns; and hurtled through a final, outdoor sprint that reaches 60mph — the fastest top speed of any ride at Disney World.
Logo everywhere
GM's presence is everywhere. The carmaker's corporate logo is splashed throughout the pavilion that houses the ride. The queue includes a room featuring aerial photos of GM "proving grounds" around the world, from a desert track in Mesa, Ariz., to a cold-weather course in northern Ontario. Guests exit through a swanky showroom displaying more than a dozen GM vehicles and a gift shop hawking pink Cadillac ball caps, die-cast Corvettes and electronic-toy Hummers.
There are even computer terminals and a customer-service desk for guests to order GM sales brochures.
When the ride debuted in March 1999, GM's then-vice president for marketing and advertising in North America said it would "help build brand awareness, corporate image and ultimately introduce new customers to GM dealers and our products."
The benefits extend beyond advertising. Disney also purchases GM vehicles — including Chevy Trailblazers and Silverados and Saturn Vue hybrids — for its corporate fleet as part of the sponsorship deal, according to people familiar with the arrangement.
But as valuable as the pact is to GM, the company may no longer be able to afford it. The automaker has warned that it could go bankrupt without as much as $16.6billion in loans from the U.S. government — on top of $13.4billion in taxpayer loans it has already received.
GM would not be the first major corporate sponsor to drop out at Epcot. General Electric, ExxonMobil and AT&T are all former sponsors, while newcomers include Siemens and Hewlett-Packard. Theme-park analysts also say they are certain Test Track would continue operating even if GM pulled out, as the ride's capacity is vital to managing park crowds.
But losing GM would further pressure profits at Disney World, which is relying on deep hotel and ticket discounts to keep visitors coming despite the struggling economy.
Replacements?
Finding a replacement sponsor also could be tricky. A rival company is unlikely to want to take over a GM ride without making substantial changes, said Steve Baker, a former Epcot executive in charge of corporate sponsorships.
"Anybody coming in paying that kind of money would want their own fingerprints," said Baker, who is now president of Baker Leisure Group, an Orlando themed-entertainment consulting firm.
The most likely targets for a replacement sponsor at Test Track would be other car manufacturers. But the entire industry is struggling as the global recession depresses auto sales.
Marketing executives at Toyota Motor Corp. have discussed internally the prospect of sponsoring Test Track. But Joe Tetherow, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Sales USA, said "it would be premature to speculate on what's going to happen."
"We're cutting a lot of costs right now," Tetherow said. "But, obviously, there's going to be opportunities from time to time that come along that we might want to take a look at."
GM's last lap on Epcot's Test Track? -- OrlandoSentinel.com
I understand Disney's need/desire for sponsorship of the pavilions at Epcot, but I have to wonder how effective this really is for the sponsor. Perhaps the time is ripe to look to new ways for Disney to fund their pavilions. Instead of one mega sponsor, perhaps they should look for numerous smaller innovative car companies that could have "booths" at FastTrack. Maybe it would allow the public to actually get educated about automotive innovation instead of having one company try to push their line of cars.
I would love to see some of the X-Prize cars, for instance, at FastTrack. Or how about something that actually demonstrates hydrogen power, electric vehicles, bio-fuels, etc. It just seems like there are lots of options for "sponsors" that could actually provide interesting information/demonstrations rather than a car showroom.
I'd hate to see TestTrack go the way of the Wonders of Life pavilion, but I frankly wouldn't even notice if GM wasn't there anymore. If GM is going to take my money in the form of taxes, then I sure want to know they are using it wisely. I'm not convinced TestTrack is all that great a use.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Going Home: Manatee Returns to Natural Habitat After WDW Rehab (UPDATE: Video) | StitchKingdom.com
Ever since reading "Sam the Seacow" my son has been a sucker for manatees so I know he'll love this story.
Going Home: Manatee Returns to Natural Habitat After WDW Rehab (UPDATE: Video) | StitchKingdom.com
As part of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), Disney’s Animal Programs team helps to take final measurements and readings Feb. 24, 2009 as they prepare to release a manatee into his natural habitat at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Fla. The manatee, named “Bock,” was released Tuesday into the warm waters of the St. John’s River. The manatee, rescued as an orphan from the St. John’s River in 2001, arrived at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. in 2003 weighing about 500 pounds. At Epcot, marine mammal experts weaned him from a bottle and began feeding him a diet of romaine lettuce, fruits and other vegetables. “Bock” now weighs more than 1,000 pounds and is approximately eight years old. Prior to his release, he was fitted with a satellite tracking belt to follow his movements and allow for behavioral observation. His progress will be monitored by the MRP in which Disney’s Animal Programs has been involved since 2001 when the partnership was established. The MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities that monitors the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees.
Going Home: Manatee Returns to Natural Habitat After WDW Rehab (UPDATE: Video) | StitchKingdom.com
As part of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), Disney’s Animal Programs team helps to take final measurements and readings Feb. 24, 2009 as they prepare to release a manatee into his natural habitat at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Fla. The manatee, named “Bock,” was released Tuesday into the warm waters of the St. John’s River. The manatee, rescued as an orphan from the St. John’s River in 2001, arrived at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. in 2003 weighing about 500 pounds. At Epcot, marine mammal experts weaned him from a bottle and began feeding him a diet of romaine lettuce, fruits and other vegetables. “Bock” now weighs more than 1,000 pounds and is approximately eight years old. Prior to his release, he was fitted with a satellite tracking belt to follow his movements and allow for behavioral observation. His progress will be monitored by the MRP in which Disney’s Animal Programs has been involved since 2001 when the partnership was established. The MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities that monitors the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees.
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