BRIEFCASE DISNEY PARK PLANS TO ADD THRILL TOWER.

Byline: - From staff and wire reports

ANAHEIM - A multistory ``Tower of Terror'' attraction will be added to Disney's slumping California Adventure theme park next year.

A similar ride is already a popular attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Fla., Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss told Amusement Business, a trade publication.

The ride uses television's ``The Twilight Zone'' for its theme. Riders strapped into seats on an elevator free fall 13 stories down the shaft of an abandoned hotel.

California Adventure has added several attractions since it opened in February to lackluster attendance.

This month, the park added a new holiday fireworks show and an abridged version of the Tony Award-winning show ``Blast!''

Directors Guild to start talks early

The Hollywood directors' union announced plans Tuesday to start negotiating for a new contract next week, nearly seven months before the current agreement expires.

Directors Guild of America officials said they agreed to the early talks because they hoped to resolve disagreements without threatening a walkout.

``By beginning our discussion now, we hope to avoid the uncertainty that inevitably comes when negotiations are extended to the hour of expiration,'' said Gil Cates, chairman of the guild's negotiating committee.

Fears of back-to-back strikes from the writers and actors guilds this summer caused havoc in the entertainment industry, with studios rushing movies through production only to face a slowdown when both disputes were resolved without walkouts.

The Directors Guild represents nearly 12,000 members employed in feature filmmaking, television, commercials and documentaries.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will negotiate on behalf of studios and networks.

The DGA's current contract expires on June 30, 2002.

House2Home sale to clear out stores

IRVINE - Liquidation sales have begun at all 42 stores operated by bankrupt House2Home, the Irvine-based company announced Tuesday.

The petition to hold the sales and cease business operations was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana on Nov. 7, in conjunction with the company's voluntary Chapter 11 petitions.

The company - which employed 4,700 people - estimates the liquidation of the stores in three Western states involves $275 million in merchandise.

Raleigh America recalling bicycles

WASHINGTON - Raleigh America Inc. is recalling about 500 bicycles because a mechanical problem can cause riders to lose control and crash.

The recalled bicycles are the 2001 Diamondback XSL-Race and XSL-Pro Mountain models. The XSL-Race model is white with red and black decals. The XSL-Pro model is yellow with white decals.

Consumers can contact Raleigh America at [phone].

FedEx matches UPS rate increase

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - FedEx Corp. said Tuesday it will raise its rates for air and ground package shipments about 3.5 percent next year.

The increase, effective Jan. 7, follows an announcement earlier this month by FedEx's chief rival, United Parcel Service Inc., that its ground shipping rates would go up by 3.5 percent on that date. Atlanta-based UPS also is increasing overnight and two-day express services by 4 percent.

Johnson Wax gets DiverseyLever

RACINE, Wis. - Johnson Wax Professional acquired DiverseyLever, the institutional and industrial cleaning arm of Unilever, in a deal worth $1.6 billion.

``This is a significant acquisition with major impact, both for our company and the industry,'' Johnson Wax Chairman S. Curtis Johnson said in a conference call Tuesday. ``It will improve our position in key markets and provide access to new markets.''

The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2002. The combined company will have a new name and will be based in Racine. The company's name hasn't been determined.

Some jobs will be cut and plants will be consolidated in the transaction, but it was too soon to know how the acquisition would affect the companies' employees, Johnson said.