WDW News Today Live! Tonight

WDWNT on July 6, 2008

We will once again present WDW News Today Live! this evening from 8:00pm to 10:00pm EST, and we hope you will join us for yet another fun live program. For those of you who do not know what this is, it is a show broadcasted live over the internet using an application called TalkShoe. By using this application, listeners can hear and interact with hosts, and even dial in by phone to be heard on the program. During the program, we will be answering trip planning questions, as well as discussing the Disney parks in general. This is a great opportunity for everyone at WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, and The Disney Pincast to interact live with our listeners and we hope you will be a part of it. In order to join us, just do the following:

  • If you will be joining us by computer, go to www.talkshoe.com/tc/20663 anytime near 8:00pm EST this evening and enter the community call. (Note: You may want to head over here earlier and open a TalkShoe account, just in case you want the best experience this evening. Remember you don’t need to register to join in,  we just suggest it.)
  • If you can not use a computer, you can even join by telephone. To do this, just dial (724) 444-7444, then enter 20663 and # as the Call ID Number, and then just enter 1 and # or your TalkShoe Pin Number (if you have a TalkShoe pin number, not required)

We hope to see you at WDW News Today Live! this evening as we continue our 1 year anniversary celebration here at WDW News Today. Please feel free to email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail message at (206) 666-2982 if you have any questions or concerns.

WDW News Today Live! Tonight

WDWNT on July 6, 2008

We will once again present WDW News Today Live! this evening from 8:00pm to 10:00pm EST, and we hope you will join us for yet another fun live program. For those of you who do not know what this is, it is a show broadcasted live over the internet using an application called Talkshoe. By using this application, listeners can hear and interact with hosts, and even dial in by phone to be heard on the program. During the program, we will be answering trip planning questions, as well as discussing the Disney parks in general. This is a great opportunity for everyone at WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, and The Disney Pincast to interact live with our listeners and we hope you will be a part of it. In order to join us, just do the following:

-If you will be joining us by computer, go to http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/20663 anytime near 8:00pm EST this evening and enter the community call. (Note: You may want to head over here earlier and open a Talkshoe account, just in case you want the best experience this evening. Remember you don’t need to register to join in,  we just suggest it.)

-If you can not use a computer, you can even join by telephone. To do this, just dial (724) 444-7444, then enter 20663 and # as the Call ID Number, and then just enter 1 and # or your Talkshoe Pin Number (if you have a Talkshoe pin number, not required)

We hope to see you at WDW News Today Live! this evening as we continue our 1 year anniversary celebration here at WDW News Today. Please feel free to email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail message at (206) 666-2982 if you have any questions or concerns.

Sting or Swing? Drive or Fly?

WDWNT on July 5, 2008

Screamscape has some details on the re-do’s of both Mullholand Madness & Orange Stinger:

2009/2010 – Silly Symphony Swings – In Development – (7/4/08) We’ve got a little more information to share today about the new Silly Symphony Swings restoration plans. According to our sources the remodeled attraction will have a Band Conductor Mickey on top of the tower who will move around to the music. The top will be remodeled to be more like a carousel to allow for the placement of scenes from the Silly Symphonies on the inside of each section.

2009/2010 – Goofy’s Flite School – In Development – (7/4/08) We’ve heard that plans for Goofy’s Flite School are moving forward, and yes that is the correct spelling. From the sound of things it may take on a similar look to Goofy’s Barnstormer in Florida as it will now look like an old giant barn has been converted by Goofy into a make-shift airplane hanger… while apparently leaving all the old chicken coops intact.

Celebrate America Canceled!

WDWNT on July 5, 2008

We have been hearing several reports that last nights 4th of July fireworks show, Disney’s Celebrate America, was canceled half-way due to winds (as with New Years).

UPDATE: Here’s a short video of the fireworks last night from inside Disneyland when the show was cut off & the cancellation announcement was made:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=8i5V7aaYAGM[/youtube]

But for now, Orlando Attractions Magazine has a video of the complete Florida version (which I believe is exactly the same) that went off with-out a hitch. That version was recorded on July 2nd, so a test day. WDWNTube‘s John Corigliano was at the Magic Kingdom in WDW to see the show yesterday, & I’m sure he’ll be bringing back an excellent video for you all to enjoy!

Pure Enchantment Goes Dark

WDWNT on July 4, 2008

When major construction begins on the Liberty Square bridge this August, Spectromagic will be getting a two week vacation. While Spectromagic will not be performing at the Magic Kingdom from August 15 to the 29, there will be two showings of the park’s daytime parade. The Disney Dreams Come True Parade will be running two performancesduring this time, one at 3:00pm and another at 7:00pm, on a new parade route while Spectromagic sits in the parade warehouse and awaits the completion of the work on the bridge that connects Liberty Square and Main Street. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on these changes becomes available.

Dateline Disneyland Picture Update

WDWNT on July 4, 2008

Let’s take a look at some various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Dateline Disneyland on MiceAge:


All of Innoventions, including the new Innoventions Dream Home, is now finally open!


Would you believe that Innoventions actually has a line!?


Tom Morrow still greets guests on video & as an animatronic…


… Not sure how this will work with all the new stuff


From Tom, you apparently go on to a mini-game show about ABC TV shows (no prizes awarded, of course)


The inner walls are lined with various murals featuring past & present Tomorrowland icons


From there you finally enter the Innoventions Dream Home! Check the Dateline Disneyland article for a full photo guide of the new Dream home (way too many pictures to share here). The link is at the top of this post


You exit the Dream Home through the Elias Family Party Tent…


… And then you go up the stairs that take you to the Segway Experience on the 2nd floor


Here’s a look at the placing of the new Wall-E meet ‘n greet in Hollywood Pictures Backlot


These sponsor themed ads are apparently new

Be sure to check the Dateline Disneyland article for, as I said, many more pictures of the Innoventions Dream Home, as well as a look at Toy Story Midway Mania, the Grand Californian Expansion, & new posters inside the Disneyland Hotel! The link is at the top of the post.

Dateline Disneyland Picture Update

WDWNT on July 4, 2008

Let’s take a look at some various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Dateline Disneyland on MiceAge:


The latest map covers, promoting the Summer of Hidden Mysteries & Toy Story Midway Mania


The latest attractions at the Resort are promoted in the inside flap

Adventure Roadmaps are given to guests at the parking lot toll booths, as part of the TSMM/Honda Pilot cross promotion


Really easy trivia questions to answer as you make your way around DCA, & then send it in for the sweepstakes


Toy Story Midway Mania now being promoted at the Mickey & Friends Tram Station


As mentioned yesterday, the Green Army Men are in the Esplanade letting guests know that Toy Story Midway Mania is in fact in DCA, & not Disneyland


Guests can climb into this Honda Pilot & check it out, much like with the post-show at Test Track in Epcot… “DCA or Bust!”


Toy Story **cough Midway cough*** Mania ad in the Esplanade


This toy Spring Action Shooters, that a certain Staff Member of DLNT badly wants, are now available in the Midway Mercantile


Even though the Innoventions Dream Home is now proclaimed open, regular guests can not enter it. I presume all guests must still enter through the exit of Innoventions. Be sure to check out this Dateline Disneyland update (linked at the beginning of this post) for many “up above” pictures!


The Tomorrowland/Fantasyland smoking area has finally been moved from by the Tomorrowland Train Station…


… It’s now the back half of Fantasia Gardens


Work is finally going on at the old Seasons of the Vine theater

Review of the New Monorail

WDWNT on July 4, 2008

From the OC Register:

At about 5 p.m. today the first members of the public boarded the new Mark VII Monorail at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland station.

While some people who went on the first red monorail trip seemed to think it was just another monorail, some guests were thrilled to be on the new train.

“It was air conditioned and it was pretty,” said 8-year-old Bethany Masten from Sacramento. Masten and her family were on the first public trip with the new monorail.

Disney marked the arrival of the new monorail train with signs throughout the park. And the monorail features more than just the red sides, blue glass windows and blue-lighted floors and seat backs. The train’s message also reflects the new train.

“Ladies and gentleman, welcome aboard the monorail 7,” the speakers sounded on each ride around the park. Later, the recorded message says, “You’re riding on the new Mark 7 Monorail, the latest-generation Disneyland monorail.

“I have no other monorail experiences to compare this to, but this train looks pretty futuristic,” admitted 38-year-old John Sturgeon. This was the first visit to Disneyland for Sturgeon and his family who came to the park from Silver City, New Mexico.

On that same, second ride for the public, was Catherine Keene of San Diego. She admitted that she made her group wait for the new train, which she said looks much cooler than the old train and that also rides more smoothly.

“We saw the red monorail driving along the tracks all day. It looked so pretty and new, so we all wanted to ride on it,” Keene said.

On a ride around the track with a monorail driver, Scott Kea, he said that a few things have changed for the drivers. He said the new train has more cameras, the ability for drivers to talk to specific sections of the train and a “cushier” seat for the driver.

While some guests did not know about the new train, Michael Villanueva, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, was excited for the new train. As he walked up on the monorail platform he said of the old-style monorail train “that one’s boring, I want to go on the new one.”

Villanueva said he’s been waiting for the red monorail to open. He saw the monorail testing earlier in the day, but when he saw signs announcing that guests could go on the monorail he said he ran to the monorail station in Tomorrowland.

“I was like ahhhhhh I have to ride on the new monorail,” he said.

Disney Spokeswoman Betsy Sanchez said the red monorail’s soft opening means it will be open off and on throughout the weekend. She did not know when the monorail would begin full-time operations for park guests.

A History Lesson

WDWNT on July 4, 2008

Here is a short time line explaining the history and many developments in audio-animatronics technology over the years:

Early 1950s
Walt Disney purchases a mechanical bird while vacationing in Europe. The souvenir becomes the inspiration for Audio-Animatronics technology.
1951
Work begins on “Project Little Man.”  Roger Broggie and Wathel Rogers, pioneers in Audio-Animatronicstechnology, create a miniature figure that is programmed with cams, cables and tubes to mimic tap-dancing routines performed by the late Buddy Ebsen.
1963
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opens at Disneyland.  It’s the first show to feature Audio-Animatronics technology.
1964
The world’s first fully animated human figure, Abraham Lincoln, debuts at the New York World’s Fair in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.  The figure causes a sensation, not just with the audience, but with Disney Imagineers, who were able to complete the figure in half the time they anticipated.
Audio-Animatronics figures are also in three other World’s Fair shows designed and produced by Disney: Carousel of Progress (featuring figures animated using a programming harness, a precursor of today’s motion capture systems), Magic Skyway and it’s a small world.
1964
Two Audio-Animatronics birds, Robin and Umbrella, appear in “Mary Poppins.”  Walt Disney reinvests profits from the film to create MAPO, an organization within Walt Disney Imagineering dedicated to creating and innovating Audio-Animatronics figures.
1965
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – featuring the Audio-Animatronics figure of Abraham Lincoln (actually, a duplicate since the original was still performing at the World’s Fair) – opens at Disneyland.
1970
Audio-Animatronics technology enters the computer age with the use of DACS (Digital Animation Control System), a computer-controlled playback system for Disney shows and attractions.  Imagineers also begin using the Anicon-Animation Console – for animating and programming figures.
1989
The first A-100 Audio-Animatronics figure, the Wicked Witch of the West, debuts as part of The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then known as Disney-MGM Studios) in Walt Disney World Resort.  A-100 figures incorporate compliance technology that gives the characters more fluid and realistic movements.
1992
Pirates of the Caribbean opens at Disneyland Paris.  Attraction features sword-fighting pirates figures.
1998
Hopper, the grasshopper from the Disney•Pixar film “A Bug’s Life,” is the most sophisticated Audio-Animatronics figure produced to date.  Featuring 74 functions, the character appears in “It’s Tough to be a Bug!”
2002
The first portable, all-electric Audio-Animatronics figure, Meeko, the raccoon from the Disney animated film “Pocahontas,” appears.  He’s in a basket carried by Pocahontas.
2003
The first totally autonomous Audio-Animatronics figure, Lucky the Dinosaur, makes his debut, at Disney’s California Adventure.
2006
The yeti, a major element of Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is the largest and most powerful Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering. Standing more than 18 feet tall, the thrust of the yeti’s arm has the equivalent amount of force as a 747 jumbo jet.
2007
The Muppet Mobile Lab, featuring Muppets Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker, marks the first time that free-roaming Audio-Animatronics characters can interact and converse with each other, as well as with guests they encounter along their way.
2008
Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story Mania! at both Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios marks the first time that anAudio-Animatronics figure features lips with such a wide range of lifelike movements, can remove and re-attach a body part (his ear) and has digitally animated eyes that can look directly at the particular guest with whom he is conversing. Also, since Mr. Potato Head has more lines of dialogue than any Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering, it has required more programming hours than any other figure.