ABC Television Network Stars Share their Dreams with America

Business Wire, Sept 26, 2006

Isaiah Washington, James Denton, Yunjin Kim and Sara Evans Participate in Dream Tribute as Disney Parks Launch Where Dreams Come True

BURBANK, Calif. -- Stars from ABC Television Network hit shows are sharing their dreams with America.

Isaiah Washington, better known as Dr. Burke on "Grey's Anatomy," along with James Denton, "Desperate Housewives" Mike Delfino, Yunjin Kim, also known as Sun Kwon, on "Lost" and country music star Sara Evans, from "Dancing with the Stars" are all featured in a two-minute tribute to dreams.

The dreams tribute will air on Tuesday, September 26 during the competition portion of ABC's smash hit, "Dancing with the Stars" and again during the results portion on Wednesday, September 27 (8 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. CDT) as a prelude to the premier of Disney Parks' "Where Dreams Come True" anthem. Additionally, print ads will run in USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel and Orange County Register to promote viewership of the spot.

The "Where Dreams Come True" anthem is an inspirational video that conveys, in magical ways, the emotional moments that happen every day at Disney Parks worldwide.

With a team of world-class advertising talent, Disney Parks has tapped top photographer Gus Butera and famed directors Tarsem and Leslie Dektor to work in collaboration with agencies Leo Burnett, McGarry-Bowen and Yellow Shoes (Disney Parks' in-house creative team) to implement Disney Parks' worldwide brand positioning campaign.

Disney Parks has also enlisted famed photographer Annie Leibovitz to create a celebrity-based campaign that will convey how these experiences transport people from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

"Where Dreams Come True" is Disney's first-ever initiative that fully integrates and encompasses its entire global portfolio of parks and resorts in Anaheim, California; Orlando, Florida; Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo. It is rooted in consumer insight - gained through two years of extensive research around the world - that reveals a singular view of Disney Parks as places where dreams come true.

"We have a great history of listening to our guests and through their feedback they have told us consistently, whether surveyed in London, New York City, Hong Kong, Los Angeles or Paris, that Disney Parks are synonymous with the idea of 'Where Dreams Come True,' " said Michael Mendenhall, executive vice president of global marketing, Disney Destinations. "The very notion is core to our business - our parks are indeed the places 'Where Dreams Come True.' "

The premier of the "Where Dreams Come True" anthem will air as Disney Parks prepare to launch their year-long celebration, "The Year of a Million Dreams." Beginning Oct. 1, 2006, Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will feature the debut of an incredible lineup of new attractions and entertainment, plus new technologies that allow guests to customize their Disney park experience. New attractions include Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Rockin' Space Mountain at Disneyland Resort in California and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Finding NemoCoThe Musical and Monsters Inc. The Laugh Floor Comedy Club at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

"Throughout this incredible celebration, special dreams and unique experiences once thought impossible will be awarded by our cast every day," said Mendenhall. "Disney parks are always the place where dreams come true - but even more so during 'The Year of a Million Dreams.' "

More information about "Where Dreams Come True" and "The Year of a Million Dreams" is available at www.disneyparks.com.