Blu-ray is going on tour. The Walt Disney Studios Tuesday announced the launch of Disney’s Magical Blu-ray Tour, which will stop at 18 malls nationwide to educate consumers about the emerging DVD technology.
The tour, sponsored by Blu-ray player manufacturer Panasonic, will feature interactive kiosks, viewing stations and a theater hosting hourly live presentations on the Blu-ray disc.
Tour participants will get a first look at previews of HD versions of Disney/Pixar’s “Cars” and Disney’s “Meet the Robinsons,” as well as an opportunity to play the interactive “Liar’s Dice” game from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”
“Our presentations and demo areas will hold something of interest for everyone, from kids and their parents to older adults and teens,” said Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “Even early adopters won’t be disappointed with the first looks at the bonus materials that we’re rolling out for our future titles.”
Disney hopes this event will serve as a forum to educate people about high-definition technology.
“Disney has always put consumers first, and we are here to help everyone understand this amazing new technology,” Dick Cook, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, said in a statement. “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.”
Many critics believe this tour is Disney’s statement in the Sony Blu-ray vs. Toshiba HD DVD format war, with Disney favoring Blu-ray.
Although he thinks Disney is clearly highlighting the Blu-ray disc format, Bruce Leichtman, principal of Leichtman Research, said the tour may be more about seizing a financial opportunity and promoting a new format of movies.
“Now that a growing number of households have HDTV sets, they are trying to make the next wave of DVD technology known,” Mr. Leichtman said. “This is a new revenue opportunity for Disney. If people truly want to see their movies in HD, they’ll have to buy the new format.”
Disney has already released films including “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “The Guardian” and “The Prestige” on Blu-ray Disc.
The tour kicks off Aug. 17 and will continue through Dec. 23.
Cities on the tour include Canoga Park, Costa Mesa, San Diego and San Francisco, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Seattle; Minneapolis; Chicago; St. Louis; Washington, D.C.; Long Island, N.Y.; Boston; Philadelphia; Indianapolis; Atlanta; Houston and Austin, Texas; and Phoenix.
(Editor: Horowitz)
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Fark 
StumbleUpon 
Comments (2)
I will not take my family to Disney until they stop playing politics with this issue.
Why pay double or triple for a player by buying Blu ray?
They should just product the discs in both formats and let the buyer buy whichever format they choose.
Posted by Steve Heinbaugh | July 17, 2007 6:20 PM
When you wish upon a star...a blue star, or, more to the point, a blu-star. Disney is saying it is just showing HD to the consumers, but it is, obviously, a plug for Blu-ray Disc, which I am thrilled about. For one thing, I have chosen Blu-ray (did you not get the memo?); oh, and so has every other company in the world, except Universal (I'm very angry that I won't be able to get Heroes on Blu-ray). It is about time to educate the mainstream DVD buyer about their new options and this is an innovative idea. I don't remember in 1997, a DVD kiosk expo in my local mall to tell me VHS is old news. This should be very beneficial for both buyer and seller, plus, in the long run, very lucrative for Disney, as well as Blu-ray...I mean HD, in general.
Posted by Brock Koller | July 17, 2007 10:21 PM