Mayor of London Announces World Premiere of Disney's A Christmas Carol and Launch of the Festive Season in London on Tuesday, 3 November With "London's Christmas Carol"

Mayor of London Announces World Premiere of Disney's A Christmas Carol and Launch of the Festive Season in London on Tuesday, 3 November With "London's Christmas Carol"

LONDON, September 13/PRNewswire/ --

- West End's Most Famous Streets to Join The City of London for the
Biggest Co-Ordinated Christmas Lights Switch-On and Celebration the Capital
has Ever Seen

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today announces (at 15:00 GMT) that on
Tuesday 3, November 2009 London will kick off a massive celebration bringing
back the spirit of Christmas that Charles Dickens depicted in the classic A
Christmas Carol.

(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090913/359362 )

Currently in New York City to promote London as a destination for
American tourists, Mayor Johnson revealed that the world famous Christmas
Lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street will, for the first time in
history, not only be switched on simultaneously, but will share the same
theme - Disney's A CHRISTMAS CAROL. At the same time, the City of London -
the very heart of Dickens' London and the setting for A Christmas Carol,
which in 1843 helped re-define the Christmas period as the festive season of
goodwill to all and re-popularised Christmas - will join in the celebrations
with the West End.

Set against this dazzling backdrop, the World Premiere of Disney's 'A
Christmas Carol' will then take place at three of London's leading cinemas in
Leicester Square creating the UK's biggest ever 3D screening, where the stars
of the film Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, Bob Hoskins and
Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis will come together to
greet guests and media from around the world. Tickets will be available for
the public to take part in the world premiere which is in support of Great
Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. A donation will be made to Great
Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (Registered Charity no. 235825) as
part of Disney's partnership with the hospital, to help towards an ongoing
Disney campaign to raise an invaluable GBP10 million towards their
much-needed redevelopment appeal.

From November 3 until January 5, London will turn back the clock for
'London's Christmas Carol', its largest ever festive celebration which will
bring to life the magic of Charles Dickens' enduring classic. The City of
London and the West End's most famous streets, Regent Street and Oxford
Street will echo to a series of public concerts, events and a world record
gathering of carol singers in a joyful celebration of the nation's favourite
time of year.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson: "We want to bring to life the magic
of Dickens' enduring, much loved classic. With Disney's dazzling lights, plus
events in the West End and the City, it's going to be one of the biggest
festive celebrations the capital has ever seen. Hosting the world premiere of
Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' will kick things off in magnificent style. With
the city as its star, fantastic British actors in the cast - and of course
Charles Dickens words - where else could it be?

Dick Cook, Chairman, Walt Disney Studios: "In the spirit of Charles
Dickens himself, there really can be no better place in the world than London
to celebrate A Christmas Carol. We are delighted that 'Disney's A Christmas
Carol' will literally light up London with this spectacular holiday event. We
are proud to launch the world premiere of Robert Zemeckis' groundbreaking 3D
motion picture against the backdrop of these festive illuminations."

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Chairman of the New West End Company which
represents West End retailers: "Like Dickens' Christmas Carol, London's West
End is famous for Christmas. Each year over 40million shoppers spend GBP1bn
in London's West End during this key trading period. At the end of a tough
year for retail, it is particularly important that the first-ever Christmas
celebrations across the centre of London provide a much needed boost to
Britain's economy.

"The unveiling in New York of London's Christmas Carol event today, by
London Mayor Boris Johnson, reflects the importance of American visitors to
London's economy and vibrancy - a market that spends over GBP1.3bn in our
capital annually. For millions of people from London, the UK and around the
world, a trip to the West End has become part of their Christmas tradition
and this year our partnership with 'Disney's A Christmas Carol' will make it
truly magical."

David Shaw, Head of Regent Street Portfolio at The Crown Estate: "We love
Christmas in Regent Street and are delighted this year to be part of the West
End's first ever joint Christmas lights switch-on and to celebrate the launch
of the feature film Disney's 'A Christmas Carol'. 55 years ago Regent Street
was one of the first shopping destinations in Europe to have large-scale
Christmas lights and we're now looking forward to the first London-wide
Christmas lights celebration. Regent Street's unrivalled collection of
international flagship stores and restaurants makes it the perfect place to
welcome visitors from all over the world and for them to enjoy a traditional
day's Christmas shopping."

Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the City of London Corporation's Policy and
Resources Committee: "We are proud to support this event which - unlike
anything before it - brings together partners from across central London in a
massive celebration of the capital and Christmas.

"In his book, Dickens celebrates traditional seasonal values - family,
friendship, charity and sharing. This partnership is a fitting tribute to
"the man who invented Christmas", as organisations from London's private,
commercial and public sectors join together to co-ordinate and support a
project, the benefits of which will be felt by our residents, workers and
visitors; retailers, restaurants, hotels, cultural providers and attractions.

"The City Corporation prides itself on the support it gives to London's
visitor offer. This event provides us with the opportunity to showcase to the
world the different faces of (specifically) the West End and the City at
Christmas, and to promote to visitors the enormous diversity, vibrancy and
dynamism of this extraordinary place."

Cllr Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster City Council: "This will be a
spectacular event to mark the beginning of the festive season across London.
The West End has proven resilient in the face of the recession but this year
has still been tough for many businesses and these lights will hopefully
attract more shoppers to the area. With more than 120 international and 176
flagship stores, the West End has a fantastic array of shops along with
scores of cafes, restaurants, cinemas and 40 theatres making it the perfect
place for a visit, especially in the run-up to Christmas."

Sally Chatterjee, Interim CEO Visit London: "Visiting London over the
Christmas period can be a magical experience with the Christmas markets,
elegant shop windows and incredible attractions; there really is something
for everyone. We are delighted that this year the capital will be transformed
in celebration of Dickens' classic tale 'A Christmas Carol' and look forward
to experiencing the unique festivities."

London's Christmas Carol is a celebration of a traditional Christmas as
London turns back the clock and brings to life the spirit of Christmas with
events, promotions and activity across the capital. Partners involved in this
initiative are, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK, The Mayor's Office,
Westminster Council, the New West End Company, The Crown Estate, The City Of
London, Visit London and many more. For more information on London's
Christmas Carol visit http://www.londonschristmascarol.com.

Tickets to the World Premiere will be on sale from Monday, 14
September at http://www.londonschristmascarol.com

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' will be released through Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures, UK in cinemas across the UK November 6, 2009

Certificate: TBC |Running Time: tbc

For further information regarding London's Christmas Carol please
contact DDA PR: James Knox: +44(0)7733-017-680 / Bee Jordan:
+44(0)7813-808-884, dacc@ddapr.com

For information regarding Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' please contact
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, UK: Charlotte Tudor: 020 8222 2581 /
Charlotte.Tudor@disney.com; Natacha Clarke: +44(0)20-8222-2580 /
Natacha.Clarke@disney.com

Images are available to download from http://www.image.net

For information, images and interviews about Shopping in the West
End including Oxford Street and Regent Street please contact Sister PR:
Sarah Millar at Sister on +44(0)781-782-1466 or sarah@sister-pr.com

Monday to Friday: +44(0)20-7287-9601.

http://www.londonschristmascarol.com

Notes to Editors

BORIS JOHNSON

Boris Johnson, who was born in New York, is the Mayor of London. As the
executive of the strategic authority for London - the Greater London
Authority - his role is to promote economic development and wealth creation,
social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor also
has a number of other duties in relation to culture and tourism, including
responsibility for Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. For further
information visit the website: http://www.london.gov.uk. You can also follow
the Mayor on http://twitter.com/mayoroflondon;
http://www.youtube.com/MayorsOfficeLondon;
http://www.facebook.com/borisjohnson During his visit, the Mayor will be
updating Londoners with videos that will be available on his YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/mayorsofficelondon and will be writing on his travel
blog http://borisjohnsonvisits.blogspot.com/

DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND CHRISTMAS ACROSS LONDON

Dickens classic novel published in 1843 has become the essential
Christmas tale, symbolizing and representing all the elements of the festive
season with charity, compassion, celebration, families uniting and gift
giving. Many people claim that Dickens helped re-popularise the notion of a
traditional Christmas season which became very fashionable for the
Victorians.

In his story Dickens paints a picture of a snow-covered London preparing
for Christmas across the city - also helping to popularise the idea of a
White Christmas and making London the home of a traditional Christmas for
many.

"In 'A Christmas Carol' Charles Dickens captured the very essence of
traditional English Christmas while telling a hugely innovative, fanciful and
above all socially responsible tale for the modern age. The story's
characters, just like Dickens himself, have become part of our festive season
and spread a powerful message of moral and social redemption throughout the
world - today as much as it did in 1843 when it was written." Dr Florian
Schweizer, Strategic Director of the Charles Dickens Museum, London.

For more information on Charles Dickens and the Dickens Museum please
contact: Dr Florian Schweizer: +44(0)20-7405-2127 ext 214

DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE FILM

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol', a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned
by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to
the Future, The Polar Express, Beowulf), captures the fantastical essence of
the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event.
Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual
miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery
nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet
to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is
reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before
it's too late.

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol', based on the classic Dickens' tale, is
re-envisioned by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis in a
groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Bob
Hoskins and Robin Wright Penn.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and
affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and
media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and
resorts, studio entertainment, interactive media and consumer products.
Disney is a Dow 30 company with revenues of nearly $38 billion in its most
recent fiscal year.

NEW WEST END COMPANY:

New West End Company is a company dedicated to driving forward London's
West End as the world's top shopping destination. It is supported and run by
major retailers and property owners in Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent
Street.

New West End Company ensures the ongoing commercial success of the area
by promoting the district, delivering street management services, funding
public realm projects to improve the shopping environment. It is a leading
partner in the biggest regeneration programme of London's West End in its
history. Find out more at http://www.newwestend.com.

200 million visitors travel into the West End each year. Of these
visitors 25% are from overseas and a further 21% are from outside of London.

Oxford Street was named best destination in the Visit London awards 2007
& 2008.

London's West End is the world's top shopping destination, with a
world-class mix of 600 shops, 40 renowned theatres, 30 museums and galleries,
17 Michelin starred restaurants and 7 tranquil green spaces.

For further images and information on Oxford Street and the Oxford Street
Christmas Lights contact Laura Ramos at New West End Company,
Phone: +44-207-462-0681, Email: laura.ramos@newwestend.com

For New West End Company and London's West End contact Jace Tyrrell
Phone: +44-7791-123-513, Email: jace.tyrrell@newwestend.com

REGENT STREET

The world class shopping destination of Regent Street was one of the
first purpose built shopping streets in the world and today celebrates 180
years of shopping

Regent Street has undergone a GBP750 million investment plan and has
attracted many new flagship brands including; Europe's first Banana Republic
store, the world's first National Geographic store as well as Cos, Camper,
Ferrari, Hoss Intropia and of course the finest toy shop in the world -
Hamleys. New fashion and lifestyle brands soon to open on Regent Street
include Anthropologie; the first outside the US along with Gant, Guess and
Toywatch. Aqua Hong Kong's renowned restaurant will be opening a roof top
venue in Regent Street this autumn.

For further information and images on Regent Street and the Regent Street
Christmas lights contact Sarah Millar or Rufus Stone at Sister on
+44(0)20-7-287-9601 or email sarah@sister-pr.com or rufus@sister-pr.com

THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION

The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It
supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance
and business services and provides local services and policing for those
working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued
services to London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the
Guildhall School of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archives; a range of education provision (including three
City Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the
Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over 10,000
acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three
wholesale food markets. It is also London's Port Health Authority and runs
the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and the City
Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than GBP15m to charity
annually. Full details on http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The City Corporation is pleased to be working with the Cheapside
Initiative on this event and thanks them for their support.

The Initiative is a unique partnership that brings together the local
business community to work as a collective in helping to shape and influence
Cheapside to become a premier retail and leisure destination. Full details on
http://www.incheapside.co.uk

VISIT LONDON

Visit London is the official visitor organisation for London. A leader in
best practice destination marketing, Visit London promotes the UK capital
internationally, across Britain and to Londoners targeting leisure and
business visitors. Visit London works in partnership with the Mayor of
London, the London Development Agency, London Councils and the tourism
industry.

For broadcast-standard video of London, please visit
http://www.thenewsmarket.com/visitlondon. If you are a first-time user,
please take a moment to register. Visit London footage is free for all
editorial purposes.

Media enquiries: Visit London Press Office - +44(0)20-7234-5710 /
pressoffice@visitlondon.com

Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090913/359362

Source: Walt Disney

Media enquiries: Visit London Press Office - +44(0)20-7234-5710 / pressoffice@visitlondon.com

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