Author Archive for David Wallace

Queue Video For Star Tours 2.0 Released

During the recent Star Wars Celebration V hosted in Walt Disney World Orlando and specifically the “Last Tour to Endor” – a special farewell to the Star Tours attraction based on the film, Disney and Lucasfilm released a new video that will play in the queue of the attraction at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park.

Disney Releases 5th Online Community – “World of Cars”

Themed to the Pixar film favorite, Cars, World of Cars is a new Disney online community created for kids and includes games, interactive activities, and more. The online world allows users to “create a car” when they sign up, then interact with Cars characters Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and others while also interacting with fellow users and players online.

Bountiful Valley Farms in Disney’s California Adventure Will Be No More

September 7 is the date that Disney has announced its plans to close the Bountiful Valley Farms area in California Adventure. This to make room for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, one of the new attractions coming to Cars Land, an all new land based on the Pixar animated film – Cars. The area between the farm and the Pacific Wharf area will become the new entrance into Cars Land.

Walt Disney Co. Acquires Playdom $563.2 Million

The Walt Disney Company agreed to acquire online social gaming company Playdo for $ 563.2 million, subject to certain conditions and a performance linked earn out of up to $ 200 million, the company disclosed on Tuesday.

With the acquisition, Disney expects to strengthen its digital gaming portfolio, acquire a management team and provide new ways to interact on social networks like Facebook and MySpace.

‘Mulan’ Animator Priscillano Romanillos Dies at 47

Priscillano “Pres” Romanillos, the animator who brought to life the athletic Native American Little Creek in DreamWorks’ “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and the evil Shan-Yu in Disney’s “Mulan,” has died. He was 47 years old. He died at his home in Tujunga on Saturday, surrounded by his family and friends.

Video: Disney’s New Ship “Dream” Getting Closer To Reality

With the maiden voyage for the Disney Dream a little more than 6-months away, the ship, still under construction, is really starting to take shape. Disney Parks Blog has released a short video showing the construction progress to date with some amazing renderings of what the end product will look like.

Knott’s Berry Farm Reveals 2010 Halloween Haunt Mazes

Knotts Berry Farm, also known as “Knotts Scary Farm” around Halloween, will unveil three new haunted mazes during their 38th annual Halloween Haunt. The goulish festivities will take place on Wednesday through Sunday nights from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31 (except for Sept. 29). More details inside!

Mulholland Madness: Meet Goofy’s Sky School

As the continued process of re-themeing and enhancing takes place in Disney’s California Adventure park, Mulholland Madness is next on the list of attractions to receive an update. The family coaster, which has been called “unimaginative” in the past, will get a Goofy’s Sky Skool “refreshing” as part of the $1.1-billion effort to add a heavy dose of Mickey Mouse and friends to the under-performing theme park.

“Create” – A New Way To Interact With Disney Characters

Create, by Disney.com, is an online entertainment portal that offers new ways to interact with Disney character art and graphics. Disney fans are now able to work with Disney art through applications that help create and design art work, comic books, music videos and much more. It’s also a great way to express creativity and communicate with other Disney fans.

Ilene Woods, the Voice of Cinderella, Passes Away at 81

Ilene Woods, the voice of Disney’s Cinderella and Disney Legend, has died at age 81. Woods is most famous for her role as the voice of Cinderella in the 1950 classic animated film. One of her last film appearances was in Touched By An Angel as night nurse Cassie. The cause of her death has not been disclosed at this time.