At a recent press conference held at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Chairman Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. Apparently it will all begin at Walt Disney World Resort, specifically Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Bob Weis, Executive Vice President, Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, gave us a sneak peek at the new Enchanted Storybook Castle at the D23 Expo. Not only will this be the biggest of all castles at any Disney park, the Shanghai castle will represent al Disney princesses as opposed to just one.
The Salt Lake Tribune filmed their nickel tour of the “UP House” that is part of the Parade of Homes in Herriman Utah.The video includes shots of the interior with narration by the home builder himself. Just about every detail from the movie has been matched right down to the spindle design on the crib in the nursery.
WDI has released new video showing the making of the WDW version of the Little Mermaid attraction, presented by Imagineer Chris Beatty. The video shows some great footage of Imagineers at work, Great shots of Imagineers at work, the WDW Little Mermaid model, and renderings which reveal new details on what will be this new version of the ride.
To celebrate the reopening of the Star Tours attraction at Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney.com has launched a new online destination that takes intergalactic travelers on an exciting adventure through hyperspace to a galaxy far, far, away!
I came across this great Infographic depicting many of the memorable events that have transpired since the 1955 opening of the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim. If you recall (or have heard), that day, which was “invite only,” did not arrive without its many issues – uninvited guests jumping the fence to get in, attractions breaking down, restaurants running out of food, ladies high heels sinking in the newly poured asphalt on main Street and the list goes on.
The Disney History Institute is making their first documentary in a video that showcases Disneyland as it was in 1955 and includes a trip around the park on the original Disneyland steam train and passenger cars.
Disney spokesman John McClintock has confirmed that Cars Land, will open at Disney’s California Adventure in Summer 2012. The exact date will of course depends of all the ride tests that WDI will do on each Cars Land attractions. Additionally, The Orange County Register created a neat graphic which details what’s in store for the 12-acre addition to Disney’s California Adventure.
Wally Boag, who played Pecos Bill in nearly 40,000 live performances of the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland, passed away Friday at the age of 91. Boag, a Disney legend, originated the role for Walt Disney in the stage show that is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. He was also the voice of Jose in The Enchanted Tiki Room at the theme park.
Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to see what awaits you in California Andentures’ newest attraction, “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure,” then leave right now. However, if you are the curious sort such as I and realize that even if you get a video preview of the ride, it still won’t spoil experiencing the attraction in person, then continue on.
