Disney Parks and Resorts at the D23 Expo

WDWNT on September 18, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul has put together a fantastic video looking around the Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion at the D23 Expo. Included in the video is Lucky the Dinosaur, a look at Cars-Land for Disney’s California Adventure, the Storyteller’s Sandbox, and a look at the massive expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland:

More D23 Expo videos are on the way, including the World of Color preview and press conference, the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, and “The Making of Toy Story Mania” panel, so stay tuned! As well, be sure to tune in to this week’s WDW News Today and Disneyland News Today Podcasts (episodes 111 and 81 respectively) for our D23 Expo review special including audio from “An Afternoon with Imagineering Legends”, interviews with Imagineers on Cars-Land and the Hong Kong Disneyland expansion, and much more.

Disney Parks and Resorts at the D23 Expo

WDWNT on September 17, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul has put together a fantastic video looking around the Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion at the D23 Expo. Included in the video is Lucky the Dinosaur, a look at Cars-Land for Disney’s California Adventure, the Storyteller’s Sandbox attraction, and a look at the massive expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland:

More D23 Expo videos are on the way, including the World of Color preview and press conference, the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, and “The Making of Toy Story Mania” panel, so stay tuned! As well, be sure to tune in to this week’s WDW News Today and Disneyland News Today Podcasts (episodes 111 and 81 respectively) for our D23 Expo review special including audio from “An Afternoon with Imagineering Legends”, interviews with Imagineers on Cars-Land and the Hong Kong Disneyland expansion, and much more.

Future of Disney Parks and Resorts featuring Star Tours II and WDW’s New Fantasyland

WDWNT on September 17, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul was able to record video of both the “Imagineering the Future of the Disney Parks” presentation and the follow-up press conference at the D23 Expo, and now has both videos available for your enjoyment. Both videos are embedded below courtesy of the WDWNTube:

Hopefully these videos have answered some lingering questions about the exciting upcoming Walt Disney World projects. We still have many questions to ask as well and will try to get them answered as soon as possible, so stay tuned.

Future of Disney Parks and Resorts featuring Star Tours II and Fantasyland

WDWNT on September 17, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul was able to record video of both the “Imagineering the Future of the Disney Parks” presentation and the follow-up press conference at the D23 Expo, and now has both videos available for your enjoyment. Both videos are embedded below courtesy of the WDWNTube:

Hopefully these videos have answered some lingering questions about the exciting upcoming Walt Disney World projects. We still have many questions to ask as well and will try to get them answered as soon as possible, so stay tuned.

Star Tours II: The Force is Strong with This One

WDWNT on September 15, 2009

Disney has released a youtube version of the short clip that was shown of Star Tours II (in 3-D) at the D23 Expo. The video is also available in high definition by clicking the appropriate button below:

Since I have received a number of questions by email about this updated attraction, I decided it would be best to list what we know about Star Tours II thus far:

-Star Tours will close October 2010 and Star Tours II will open late summer/early fall 2011

-Star Tours II will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D (A change also being made at Muppetvision 3-D at both DHS and DCA in 2010, this was announced at the Expo as well)

-While we are not sure how it will work, pod racing (as seen in Episode I) will not be the only outcome of the attraction. It was revealed that there will be multiple films/destinations for Star Tours travelers

“Parks and Resorts” Press Release including Star Tours II

WDWNT on September 15, 2009

I know it’s a few days late, but here is the full press release we were given at the D23 Expo concerning the exciting new projects for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, as well as other on-going “Parks and Resorts” projects:

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, attractions and adventures that will be delighting Disney guests for years to come, at the first D23 Expo. Most notable among the announcements were the confirmation of an all-new Star Tours attraction and the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

“Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we’re always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places,” Rasulo told a crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center in California before taking them on a “behind-the-magic” tour of their favorite Disney destinations.

Rasulo announced that a new 3-D version of the tremendously-popular “Star Tours” attraction will debut at the Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2011. Based on the iconic Lucasfilm “Star Wars” films, the attraction will include immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy.

For Walt Disney World in Florida, Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013. Guests will soon be able to:

  • Visit their favorite Disney Princess in her castle, cottage, or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella; celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s birthday with the Good Fairies; or join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast’s castle library.
  • Be Our Guest and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast’s castle.
  • Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
  • Journey under the sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid, in her very own attraction – also opening at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in 2011.
  • Meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.

Rasulo provided updates on the multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure including the new “World of Color” attraction slated to open in the spring of 2010 and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012 where guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork.

Rasulo noted the progress of several other recently-announced projects including the three new lands coming to Hong Kong Disneyland by 2014; the Disney Dream, the new ship being built by Disney Cruise Line; the many diverse itineraries being offered by Adventures by Disney that take guests on 19 unique, once-in-a-lifetime guided vacation experiences; and Disney’s first family destination resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Star Tours II & Fantasyland Expansion Press Release

WDWNT on September 15, 2009

I know it’s a few days late, but here is the full press release we were given at the D23 Expo concerning these two exciting new projects for Walt Disney World and other on-going “Parks and Resorts” projects:

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, attractions and adventures that will be delighting Disney guests for years to come, at the first D23 Expo. Most notable among the announcements were the confirmation of an all-new Star Tours attraction and the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

“Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we’re always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places,” Rasulo told a crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center in California before taking them on a “behind-the-magic” tour of their favorite Disney destinations.

Rasulo announced that a new 3-D version of the tremendously-popular “Star Tours” attraction will debut at the Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2011. Based on the iconic Lucasfilm “Star Wars” films, the attraction will include immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy.

For Walt Disney World in Florida, Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013. Guests will soon be able to:

-Visit their favorite Disney Princess in her castle, cottage, or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella; celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s birthday with the Good Fairies; or join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast’s castle library.
-Be Our Guest and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast’s castle.
-Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
-Journey under the sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid, in her very own attraction – also opening at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in 2011.
-Meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.

Rasulo provided updates on the multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure including the new “World of Color” attraction slated to open in the spring of 2010 and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012 where guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork.

Rasulo noted the progress of several other recently-announced projects including the three new lands coming to Hong Kong Disneyland by 2014; the Disney Dream, the new ship being built by Disney Cruise Line; the many diverse itineraries being offered by Adventures by Disney that take guests on 19 unique, once-in-a-lifetime guided vacation experiences; and Disney’s first family destination resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

D23 Expo Day 3 Recap (9/12/09)

WDWNT on September 13, 2009

As we did on the second day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today held some of the biggest announcements of the D23 Expo so far. First up is the much anticipated Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion:

fantasyland_9938

Here we see concept art of the new Fantasyland. As you can see, most of the princesses have been the inspiration in the development of the new attractions and restaurants. Pixie Hollow is also being developed fully, complete with the hometree and a Pixie play area. Many of the Disney Princesses will be getting their own realms in Fantasyland, including Belle, Cinderella, and Aurora

ariels_adventure_7477

Another princess getting her own portion of the park is Ariel. Like its sister park on the west coast, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is inviting Ariel to be part of its world with a new Little Mermaid section of Fantasyland. The area will be dominated by Ariel and Eric’s castle, with a statue of our favorite little mermaid perched on a rock amongst the water surrounding the castle

dumbo_3130

The classic staple, Dumbo, is also getting a facelift–a second set of ride vehicles, and a three ring circus atmosphere and a three ring circus atmosphere to incorporate the feel of the original film. The ride will be “completely queue-less” with a waiting area set up with bleachers for parents. Riders waiting until their feather is called can be entertained by playing a variety of interactive games

Finally, with fanfare, a group of storm troopers, and an appearance from Darth Vader himself, Jay Rasulo announced Star Tours 2

The updated, 3D ride will entertain guests in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland with various Star Wars experiences, including a high-speed pod race

Construction for the Fantasyland expansion is expected to start sometime in early 2010, while Star Tours 2 is expected to close in October 2010. Star Tours is set to open in 2011 while Fantasyland and Pixie Hollow are expected to open in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

I hope you’ve been enjoying our coverage of the D23 expo. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for a round-up of day 4 of the Expo tomorrow.

D23 Expo Day 2 Recap (9/11/09)

WDWNT on September 12, 2009

As we did with the first day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. First up, some press images from some of today’s events:

Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and Donald Duck reveal plans on Sept. 11, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. for the Disney Wonder cruise ship to sail to Alaska in 2011. This is the first time a Disney cruise ship will call the West Coast home for an entire year. During 2011, the ship will depart Vancouver, B.C. for Alaska and sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles

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D23 Expo Day 2 Recap (9/11/09)

WDWNT on September 12, 2009

As we did with the first day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. First up, some press images from some of today’s events:

Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and Donald Duck reveal plans on Sept. 11, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. for the Disney Wonder cruise ship to sail to Alaska in 2011. This is the first time a Disney cruise ship will call the West Coast home for an entire year. During 2011, the ship will depart Vancouver, B.C. for Alaska and sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles

Read More about D23 Expo Day 2 Recap (9/11/09)