This Is The Final Super Soap Weekend

[Grumpy]

Disney's Hollywood Studios will no longer host "ABC Super Soap Weekend." In 2009, ABC is launching the "Soap Nation Tour" with daytime stars appearing at different venues including a three day cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico as well as contests for trips to New York and Broadway Cares and being part of the CMA Music Festival.

[Grumpy]

Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer September 30, 2008 Who's killing ABC Super Soap Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

It's not Zach Slater, the sometimes bad boy played by Thorsten Kaye on ABC's All My Children. He has pledged to attend this year's gathering of soap-opera stars on Nov. 15-16. So has John McBain, the sometimes suspect character played by Michael Easton (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/us/pennsylvania/northampton-county-%28pennsylvania%29/easton-%28northampton-pennsylvania%29/easton-%28easton-pennsylvania%29-PLGEO100101022030700.topic) on One Life to Live.

Yet as Walt Disney World (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/travel/tourism-leisure/theme-park-vacations/walt-disney-world-resort-PLREC000087.topic) prepares to host about 30 daytime-drama characters at this year's Super Soap Weekend, there's a shocking plot twist in sight: The event won't return in 2009. Healthy and popular in this episode, it'll be dead by the next.

Brian Frons, president of Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, appears to be the one writing Super Soap out of Disney World's script after 15 years.




In a news release issued Monday, Frons said ABC wants to send its soap stars on a national promotional tour next year, rather than sponsor a single weekend at Disney World. "Our fans have told us they want us in their neighborhoods," he stated, adding: "We thank Walt Disney World for being a wonderful host and partner, and look forward to our plans to send Super Soap off with a bang."

Rilous Carter, Disney World vice president for Disney's Hollywood Studios, is promising that this year's event will be a fitting finale.

But will the tour succeed? Is there a chance the soaps might return to Disney World in 2010? Stay tuned.