Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

Earlier this week Disney Parks announced  that the company’s goal of recruiting 1 million people to donate their time and get a 1-day ticket to Disney in return had been reached, and that the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” promotion is to end.

Those participating in the program signed up to volunteer through the nationwide HandsOn Network and even though  volunteer registration has ended, those who have completed their volunteer activity still have until Dec. 15 to use their free park ticket at Walt Disney World or DisneyLand.

In 2009, Disney distributed 1.2 million free tickets to anyone who went to one of their U.S. theme parks on his or her birthday. That worked out to be about 100,000 per month but the volunteer promotion was so successful that it was getting 100,000 participants per week this year.

At a media event last month at Walt Disney World, Disney officials admitted they were “overwhelmed” by this response.

No word yet on what will happen to the daily “pre-parade” in the Magic Kingdom that is designed to celebrate the promotion. It was the first new use of the Muppets at Walt Disney World in several years so it remains to be seen if  Miss Piggy returns back to her dressing room.

Meanwhile, here at Florida Leisure Vacation Homes, our “Give A Day, Get A Vacation Day” program continues… and will run all year regardless of how many people apply. Details at www.GiveADayGetAVacationDay.com

Actress Farrah Fawcett was not included in the Oscars In Memoriam segment because she was better known as a TV star, the Academy has now said.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences executive director Bruce Davis said he was not surprised some fans and family members were upset at the exclusion but he said the committee debated including Fawcett in the memorial segment, but “an unusual number of extremely distinguished screenwriters” died this year, and the academy tried to honour many of them in the short time allowed.

“In every category, you’re going to miss some wonderful people,” said Davis, who has helped assemble Oscar’s In Memoriam montage since it began in 1993.

When asked why Michael Jackson was included when other actors were left out, Davis said the singer had appeared in a popular theatrical film recently.

“There’s nothing you can say to people, particularly to family members, within a day or two of the show that helps at all,” Davis said.

“They tend to be surprised and hurt, and we understand that and we’re sorry for it.”

Fawcett’s family said on Tuesday they were “deeply saddened” and “bereft” over her omission from the ceremony.

Frankly this is nothing but a slight on the life and work of a person who was the face of Hollywood during the late 70′s. The academy said Farrah was known for her “remarkable television work” and it would be more appropriate to honour her at the Emmy Awards but they are simply wrong and out of touch.

At the time I wondered how or why they would work Michael Jackson (surely better known as a singer / musical artist) in and they managed that and not to show Farrah for just a few seconds goes beyond rhyme or reason. This so called defense of the decision doesn’t wash and all we are left to think is that the glove didn’t fit in Farrah’s case.

Wonder which actors and actresses will now be brave enough to say something about this debacle?