Whatever you’re reading, whatever you’re doing right now … Stop it. Drop everything and click on this link ASAP.
This, my friend, is the on-line version of the Walt Disney Company’s 2006 annual report. And — as you burrow through all of the various sections of this report — if you’re a hardcore Disney dweeb, you’re going to find a lot of things in here that will really make you smile.
I mean, sure. There’s the standard stuff that you always find in a forward-looking document like this. Where the Mouse talks up upcoming motion pictures & projects. Like “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” and/or Disney’s soon-to-go-live on-line “Pirates” RPG.
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Which is why you’ll also find some images in here from Disney’s big live action / animated release for the 2007 holiday season, “Enchanted.”
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Plus there’s the briefest of mentions of that soon-to-begin-shooting “National Treasure” sequel, “National Treasure 2: The Book of Secrets.” Though — oddily enough — no mention at all of Jerry Bruckheimer‘s next project for Walt Disney Pictures. Which is a big screen adaptation of that best-selling Ubisoft game, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.”
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
But then there are the things that are sure to thrill all you animation fans out there. Like the first official image of the title character from Pixar‘s Summer 2008 release, “Wall E.” FYI: You won’t actually find the logo for this new Andrew Stanton film in this year’s annual report. That particular “Wall E” image was recently forwarded to me by a friend who has very strong ties to the Mouse House. Who tells me that this robots-in-love story looks rather promising.
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
This same source also provided me with the early concept for a teaser poster for “Prince Caspian” that you’ll see below, Which also isn’t in Disney’s 2006 annual report. Though there is one beautiful concept painting of a castle from this “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” sequel included as part of this corporate publication.
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Then (for all you Disney theme park fans out there) there’s great stuff like concept art from the yet-to-be-officially-announced-but-already-under-construction “Toy Story Mania” …
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Or — better yet — a trio of shots from Disney’s California Adventure‘s next big “E” Ticket, “Carland.” Which will borrow technology from Epcot‘s “GM Test Track” attraction to send Disneyland Resort guests zooming through the world of “Cars.”
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
But perhaps the most startling images in this entire publication can be found in the “Dreaming” section of Disney’s 2006 annual report. Which includes a concept painting of the exterior of that urban entertainment center that the company’s thinking of building in Singapore. As well as an overview of a brand-new “land” that’s themed around the characters & the settings found in “The Little Mermaid.” Which is a key component of that new theme park that the Walt Disney Company wants to build in China.
Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
All this … Plus preliminary concept art for DCA’s long-rumored lagoon show. Plus a look at the “Pirates of the Caribbean” -themed area that the Imagineers are considering adding to Hong Kong Disneyland. Trust me, folks. This is one annual report that you’re really going to want to read cover-to-cover.
So what are you still doing here? Head on over to Disney’s Investor Relations page NOW and check out all of the cool new movies & theme park attractions that are being talked up in the 2006 annual report.