An In-Depth Look at Cars Land
Take an In-Depth Look at Cars Land in our latest video:
Disney Parks Merchandise on the Horizon for 2012
The Disney Parks have some exciting and unique mefchandise offerings coming up in 2012 and Steven Miller was nice enough to share a sneak peek at some of the product on the Disney Parks Blog:
I feel like a time traveler at Disney Theme Park Merchandise. I’m surrounded by developers and artists who are already creating cool things that will arrive in late 2012 (a long development time is essential for many categories). I wanted to give you a sneak preview of their work in what I hope will be a recurring article. The article title is a nod to my favorite Disney attraction, Horizons, which also gave a glimpse into the future. Here are a few of my favorite items currently in production.
I’ve been a long time fan of The Haunted Mansion clock and the timepiece pictured above is a worthy tribute. It’s heavy and the details on the watch and figure are impressive. Disney Design Group artist Caley Hicks, who also designed the Vinylmation – Flags series, created the artwork. Releasing in a few months, this is the last timepiece in our Vinylmation watch series. The set will have an edition size of 750 and a retail of $175.
Our next stop – a new mystery pin set coming this summer to the Disneyland Resort. This limited release set contains 12 pins (plus a few chasers), and was designed by Disney Design Group artists Quynh Kimball and John Henselmeier (from Starspeeder 1000 Vehicle Playset fame). Product developer Jeanne Lewis told me that this collection “highlights favorite Disneyland attractions in license plate form.” Her favorite pin is “World of Color”, while mine is the Jungle Cruise (with Duffy The Disney Bear a close second, of course).
I like wearing ties (as you may have seen in previous Disney Parks Blog articles). That article contained a sneak preview of a new tie coming this year. There are a few additional items arriving in April that I think are super cool – bow ties! All I need now is a hat.
Speaking of hats, here is a first look at the Buzz Lightyear-themed Disney Ear Hat that will be arriving this fall. It is part of the Disney character ear hat collection that was first introduced last August.
Sadly, unlike Horizons, you won’t be able to choose your own ending to this article. But stay tuned as more cool things are coming.
History of: The Land, Epcot
The Land Pavilion at Walt Disney World opened just about 35 years ago with Phase 1 of the rest of Epcot Center on October 1, 1982.
Epcot, The Land Pavilion Circa 1982
Photo from Matterhorn1959.blogspot.com
For some undefined reason, this is my favorite pavilion in all of Epcot. It is not the most exciting. It doesn’t have the best food. And it is home to one of the longest wait times and hardest to get Fast Passes in all of Walt Disney World. But I enjoy the Living with the Land boat ride.
It’s a nice relaxing trip through the greenhouses when the rest of the park is hot and in a rush. I enjoy Soarin’. Not as much as most, but the imagineering behind the ride system make it a special experience. I enjoy the smells of the food court. Not sure why, but the mixture of whatever they are cooking up makes me hungry every time. But most of all, I enjoy the sights. The greenery lining the entrance is inviting. The walls, ceilings and carpets are full of color. And then of course, there are the 4 seasons balloons…
And this is were Caley Hicks took her inspiration when designing the 9″ Park 9 The Land figure.
It is a remarkable figure, brilliantly illustrating summer, winter, fall and spring as seen on the four hot air balloons that hang high over the food court. Caley was able to incorporate all the features of each balloon including the bird on summer and butterflies on fall.
For me it’s the colors of this building that stay ingrained in memory and the colors here seem spot on.
The 9″ Park 9 Epcot, The Land figure will be in stores on July 20. The edition size is 1000 and the retail price is $44.95.
Now for a bit of history about The Land. The pavilion underwent a gradual refurbishment beginning on September 27, 1993. The pavilion’s main attraction, Listen to the Land, which took guests on connected boats through various exhibits within the pavilion, reopened mostly unchanged as Living with the Land on December 10, 1993.
The Kitchen Kabaret another of the pavilion’s original attractions featuring an Audio-Animatronics presentation about nutrition, closed on January 3, 1994. It was replaced with a new show titled Food Rocks, which featured some of the elements from the original show with an updated presentation intended to be more modern and appealing to younger audiences. Food Rocks has since closed down to make room for “The Land”‘s newest attraction, Soarin’. Soarin’s massive movie screens and ride mechanics required the construction of a large physical addition to the pavilion itself.
Symbiosis, the last of “The Land”‘s three original attractions, was closed on January 1, 1995. This attraction, which was a cinematic presentation that discussed both the positive and negative aspects of human relationship with the land, eventually reopened as Circle of Life, a new film featuring characters from The Lion King.
Between 2004 and 2005, the pavilion underwent its second major refurbishment. It received a new color scheme and foliage. The walkways and stroller parking to the pavilion’s entrance were redefined and widened. All of the carpeting in the pavilion was replaced, and the main food court was completely redesigned. The pavilion’s signage was updated, incorporating the new color scheme, new typography, and a modernized logotype.
Former Attractions:
Listen to the Land (October 1, 1982 – September 27, 1993)
Kitchen Kabaret (October 1, 1982 – January 3, 1994)
Food Rocks (1994 – January 3, 2004)
Symbiosis (October 1, 1982 – January 1, 1995)
Current Attractions:
Living with the Land (December 10, 1993–Present)
Soarin’ (May 5, 2005–Present)
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (January 21, 1995–Present)
Behind the Seeds Tour
Current Dining:
The Garden Grill Restaurant
Sunshine Seasons food court
VIDEO: “Rock the Night” Fireworks Spectacular Lights Studios’ Skies for One Night
One of our WDWNT Reporters visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier tonight to see the one-night-only performance of the “Rock The Night” fireworks spectacular, which turned out to be a slightly altered version of the usual New Year’s Eve show. Enjoy a complete video of the show:
The show was an attempt to get guests away from the Magic Kingdom for the day while President Obama visited. Disney’s Hollywood Studios would typically run Fantasmic! in this situation, but it is currently under refurbishment, so running this show was the only other option. Guests seemed to have a great time, so I would deem this a very successful temporary replacement.
More Pictures From Inside The Carthay Circle Theater
Disneyland has released some more photos from inside The Carthay Circle Theater and they are stunning…
Park Starz Yeti Rides Expedition Everest
Austin and I had the rare chance to tag along with the great and mysterious Yeti as he visited Animal Kingdom to ride Expedition Everest.
Yeti arrives at Animal Kingdom on a beautiful summer day.
It didn’t take him long to find Asia
Like most tourists, the Yeti could not resist a photo in front the fabled mountain range.
First he made sure he fit in the ride vehicle. Plenty of arm room. You know how those Yetis like to move their arms!
Then, with a 90 minute wait, it was wise to grab a Fast Pass. A nimble creature the Yeti is.
Respect the Yeti you will.
While waiting, he shopped at the Serka Zong Bazaar. “How dare they make me look cute!”
“Arrrg! Now I’m a Yeti!” He said it should shrink in the wash.
Now it was time! The anticipation grew! Let’s get in line, our time has come!
“Sorry sir, you must be one Yeti foot tall to ride Expedition Everest.” What!!! Grrrr! What does that even mean!? I AM a Yeti!
A very angry Yeti then spent the rest of the afternoon swatting at guests as they swooped off the mountain side. He didn’t hit much, but it made him feel better.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Open In Pacific Wharf
ANAHEIM, Calif. – June 7, 2012 – Disneyland Resort today welcomed a new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop to Disney California Adventure park. The new location – the first to open inside a theme park – features Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and decadent chocolate products, and represents another milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure.
“As we celebrate the culmination of our resort expansion, we are thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli, and to make this unique chocolate experience available to our park guests,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Disneyland Resort. “Ghirardelli is a perfect fit for our newly reimagined Disney California Adventure, as we both share a rich California heritage.”
The new soda fountain and chocolate shop is located in Pacific Wharf, the San Francisco-inspired area of Disney California Adventure. Guests can visit the location to enjoy treats including sundaes, shakes, and floats, plus a delicious assortment of chocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest can enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli Squares® chocolate.
“We are excited to partner with the Disneyland Resort to open our Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney California Adventure,” said Martin Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “Consumers associate our premium brand with high quality, delicious chocolate and now they will have the opportunity to enjoy both our intense, slow melting chocolate and our decadent ice cream treats inside the park. Our rich heritage began in California 160 years ago this year and opening this store in Disney California Adventure is a perfect way to celebrate.”
Happy 57th Birthday Disneyland
As Disneyland celebrates its 57th anniversary, I remember back fondly to my one and only trip to the original Disney theme park. Although my heart belongs to Walt Disney World, I am not afraid to admit that my one day at Disneyland was one of the best I ever had. Here are a few of my highlights…
I love the Disney Character additions to It’s a Small World
Fantasyland sure had it’s picturesque views
I got to revisit some old friends
Nemo Submarine was surprisingly one of the most fun adventures I had.
People always ask me which park’s attractions are better. Overall, my answer is neither. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Big Thunder… to me they all have their own high points. The exception by far is Pirates of the Caribbean. I fell in love with Disneyland’s version and went on it 3 times. WDW’s pales in comparison.
At the end of the day, it was just nice to sit back and enjoy the history and beauty of this park and what it means to us Disney fans.
New Details on the Casey Jr. Roundhouse in Storybook Circus
While the new Disney Vacation Planning DVD didn’t offer much new information on New Fantasyland, there was one interesting piece of concept art and a new description for one of the smaller additions:
“The Casey Jr. water play area will feature water squirting from playful monkeys, elephants, and camels as Casey lets off billows of nice, cool steam.”
From the look of the concept art provided, guests will get to pose for photos with Casey Jr. in the midst of a wild water play area. While it may not be an E-ticket, the attention to character detail shown in the concept art has us pretty excited for this little corner of Storybook Circus.
Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Zach
Today, we feature the work of a newcomer to the custom artist scene, Zach from Radnor, PA.
Destination Vinylmation: How long have you been customizing Vinylmation?
Zach: I have been customizing for 2 months.
DV: How did you get into creating customs?
Z: There were some vinylmations that Disney hasn’t created yet, or characters I felt I could change and make better that I really wanted to see on the Vinylmation mold. So I decided to start painting them as customs myself.
DV: Do you work on any other types of canvases?
Z: I have painted on regular canvases, but Vinylmations were my first 3D mold.
DV: Why did you choose the Toy Story Alien as the subject of one of your pieces?
Z: I chose the Toy Story Alien because he is one of my favorite Disney characters of all time, and I felt Disney didn’t properly represent him in Park 2 with the lack of certain features, such as the antenna.
DV: What was the biggest obstacle in creating the Merida figure?
Z: The biggest obstacle in creating the Merida figure was trying to make her face look right without the hair, and trying to figure out how the hair should appear.
DV: What part are you most proud of?
Z: I am most proud of the Toy Story Alien because I feel he turned out true to e character, and had some of the features Disney didn’t.
DV: You seem to favor Pixar movies… what are your favorites?
Z: My favorite Pixar movies are Toy Story, Brave, and Finding Nemo.
DV: Do you have a site where people can view your work?
Z: I have a Facebook page called Customs By Zach where people are able to view all my customs.