D23 Announces Destination D 2010 & D23 Expo 2011

WDWNT on March 10, 2010

BURBANK, Calif. – March 10, 2010 – It’s a milestone year for the Disneyland® Resort, and D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans is celebrating with the premiere of DESTINATION D, a brand-new, two-day event exclusively for D23 Members that illuminates Disney’s fascinating history.

D23 announced its latest members-only event on its first anniversary – capping a year in which Disney’s first-ever fan community grew to encompass tens of thousands of members from all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 countries worldwide.

The inaugural DESTINATION D, whose theme is “Disneyland ’55,” will be held this Sept. 24-25. DESTINATION D: Disneyland ’55 will take D23 Members on a journey through the design, creation, debut and magical history of the world’s first Disney theme park. The first DESTINATION D will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.

DESTINATION D: Disneyland ’55 will offer two full days of special presentations, panels, screenings and guest speakers that let fans meet and talk with key figures in Disneyland’s history. Future DESTINATION D events will explore other important aspects of Disney’s creative legacy. Following its premiere in September, DESTINATION D will alternate annually with the enormously popular D23 EXPO.

The next D23 EXPO is set for Aug. 19-21, 2011, returning to the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets for the 2011 D23 EXPO will go on sale Aug. 19 (one year in advance), with specially priced tickets available exclusively to D23 Members. In addition, D23 Charter Members will have access to a special Charter Member Lounge at the 2011 D23 EXPO, at no additional cost.

The first-ever D23 EXPO attracted nearly 40,000 Disney fans when it debuted last September, bringing the entire world of Disney under one massive roof. During the D23 EXPO, fans were treated to appearances by superstars like Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus and John Travolta; explored exciting, new concepts and attractions from Disney Parks and Walt Disney Imagineering; peered into Disney’s history at special panels, presentations and displays; and discovered the newest entertainment, products and events from throughout The Walt Disney Company.

“The first D23 EXPO surpassed all of our expectations, and our 2011 Expo is already shaping up to be a jaw-dropping, not-to-be missed showcase of the best and brightest Disney has to offer,” said Steven Clark, head of D23.

“We’re very excited to also be creating an entirely new event with DESTINATION D, which will bring Disney’s fascinating history to D23 Members in ways no other Disney fan can experience,” Clark said. “There’s nowhere on earth quite as special as Disneyland, and we want fans to see it as they never have before.”

The D23 team is in the midst of developing exclusive programming for DESTINATION D – but an early peek at plans reveals a host of special speakers, presentations and panels throughout the two-day event, including:

  • “Disneyland: The Way We Were” – Disney’s Chief Archivist Dave Smith will look back at highlights from Disneyland history;
  • “Disney Undiscovered” – An exploration of never-built projects and attractions developed for Disneyland;
  • “23 on 55” – The Walt Disney Archives celebrates Disneyland’s 55th anniversary;
  • “Weird Disney” – A showcase for some of the quirky, little-known facts, places, people and ideas that even the most avid fan might not know.

More details on the programming and events planned for DESTINATION D: Disneyland ’55 – as well as details about the 2011 D23 EXPO – will be available soon at www.disney.com/D23. Tickets will go on sale early this summer.

DESTINATION D joins a lineup of special events throughout 2010 designed exclusively for D23 Members. Among them are free screenings of classic Disney movies during the “50 & Fabulous” film festival at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank; members-only tours of the famed Walt Disney Archives; an exclusive Sip & Stroll event during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival; and holiday-themed Magic and Merriment weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Pixar Showing its “Color”

WDWNT on March 6, 2010

Here is a video released by the Disney Parks Blog showing some animation from Pixar that will be used in World of Color, also the video shows  some very neat features of World of Color that we have yet to see…

In this video, you can see fountain testing from the viewing area , the full mist screen with animation testing, projection dome testing, and much more.

New Residents Coming To Main Street

WDWNT on March 4, 2010

From the Disney Parks blog:

We’ve all heard it and we’ve all sung it and that’s what makes “it’s a small world” one of the most translated and performed songs on earth. Richard and Robert Sherman are the talented brothers who wrote the famous tune that you can’t get out of your head. You’ve probably also heard their other wonderful pieces of work throughout Disneyland park – past and present: Enchanted Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, Adventures Through Space, as well as a long list of Disney motion-picture musical scores that includes “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” “The Aristocats” and “Winnie the Pooh.” Next week the Sherman Brothers will be given one of the most prestigious honors that a Disney cast member can receive, a window on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland park. In the attached video, enjoy a look back at these talented brothers singing with Walt Disney himself.

Richard’s and Robert’s window is far overdue and very deserving for someone who wrote the music to some of the greatest movies and attractions Disney has ever made.

The Silly Swings Gets Its Top

WDWNT on March 2, 2010

Silly Symphony Swings

From The Disney Parks Blog:

Many people have posted photos online of Silly Symphony Swings, a new attraction coming to Paradise Pier in Disney’s California Adventure park later this year. Today we’re giving you a chance to see how some of the magic happens behind the scenes. The photo above shows Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Dimensional Designer Steve Cotroneo sculpting a four-foot tall Mickey Mouse that you can now see at the very top of Silly Symphony Swings.

For those of you who many not be familiar with the attraction, Silly Symphony Swings is a classic swing attraction, and it’s themed to Walt Disney’s animated short, “The Band Concert” (1935). In the musical cartoon, Mickey Mouse is trying to conduct a presentation of the “William Tell Overture” by Gioachino Rossini, but Donald Duck interrupts him and chaos follows. When Mickey finally regains control of his orchestra, they are all swept up in a passing tornado.

In the attraction, guests will see Mickey conducting the barnyard orchestra, and as a tornado passes through the Park, the central tower begins to rise and spin, and Mickey’s band concert really swings into high gear.

Come Party With Some Imagineers!!

WDWNT on February 25, 2010

From D23:

02.24.10 – In addition to D23 Members — major stars in their own right! — the D23 First Anniversary Party, to be held March 10 inside Fantasyland at Disneyland, will play host to a number of VIPs who have contributed significantly to Disney’s legacy, including:

Bob Gurr. Named a Disney Legend in 2004 for his decades of innovative work at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob specialized in vehicle design and worked on the designs of the Autopia automobiles and the antique cars and double-decker buses used on Main Street, U.S.A. He also played a lead role in the design of the Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Flying Saucers attractions and more.

Tony Baxter. A legendary Imagineer, Tony has played a key role in the design and creation of many Disney attractions and theme parks of the last 40 years, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, the Indiana Jones Adventure and the overall creative role for Disneyland Paris.

Kevin Corcoran. Named a Disney Legend in 2006, Kevin has enjoyed a long and distinguished acting career with Disney, starring in such classic films as Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson and more.

Bill Farmer. Named a Disney Legend at the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, Bill’s voice is familiar to cartoon fans around the world as the voice of Goofy and Pluto. He has also lent his talents to a long list of Disney favorites, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Beauty and the Beast and such Disney·Pixar films as a bug’s life, Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

Margaret Kerry. Margaret was the original live-action model for Tinker Bell.

Dave Smith. Named a Disney Legend in 2007, Dave Smith, chief archivist, the Walt Disney Archives, founded the Disney Archives in 1970.

Dan Roebuck. For more than two decades Dan has enjoyed a successful acting career. He currently shines in the role of Dr. Leslie Arzt on the hit ABC series LOST.

David Stollery. Named a Disney Legend in 2006, David Stollery enjoyed a solid acting career before he came to the Walt Disney Studios but it was there that he made his biggest mark. He played Marty Markham, the spoiled rich boy, in The Adventures of Spin and Marty and Dan Thompson in Westward Ho The Wagons!

Denny Newell. A senior show director at Disneyland, Denny is a 24-year Disneyland Cast Member who has played a directorial role for Celebrate! A Street Party, Disney’s Electrical Parade, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Drawn to the Magic and Pixie Hollow.

Tickets are still on sale for the Anniversary and you can find the link Here.

Several DLNT Staff Members will be attending the event so stay tuned to DLNT for video and a photo report from the event.

Captain Lastrapes’ 2/23/10 Captain EO Tribute Report & Review

WDWNT on February 23, 2010

DLNT Reporter Chris Lastrapes headed to Disneyland earlier today to see the return of a former attraction in the “Captain EO Tribute” and took a few photos of the attraction’s debut to share:

The exterior of the theater has been slightly updated

The original poster returns, slightly modified to say “tribute”

New attraction sign

A decent-sized crowd showed up in the afternoon

Illuminated posters in the waiting area

Still sponsored by Kodak

Clips from the original pre-show are shown on the monitors, without narration

The Captain EO logo graces the screen as you enter

A few pieces of merchandise available in the Star Trader

TomorrowLanding also has the merchandise

Chris Lastrapes also wrote a short review of his experience:

Captain EO’s return to Tomorrowland is a glimmer of the original attraction, but holds up to the test of time. Before the film begins, the cast member up front gives a brief spiel on the history of the attraction and its return to Disneyland. The film print itself looks fantastic with the music and sound effects resounding well throughout the Magic Eye Theatre. For anyone who remembers the original run, some of the special effects — like the lasers blasts and smoke — will seem lacking. However, the excitement of the film is not lost without these elements. Guests will experience a few wind gusts and the movement of the audience seats used in Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. Clocking in a nearly 17-minute, the film seems shorter, indicating how engaging it is by itself.

The film itself seems dated, especially compared to recent 3-D attractions. Some of the special effects used — like the claymation, — are almost laughable. Still, it shines through with its unique story and strong influence by George Lucas that draws many parallels to Star Wars. But it is the film’s star that stands out beyond anything else. It is amazing to see Michael Jackson doing what he does best, singing and dancing in the style from an era that was the height of this success. The songs “We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me” are vintage Jackson and sound like they belong on Thriller or Off the Wall. And guests in the audience were laughing at the sight of many of the 80’s hairstyles.

I think Captain EO will appeal more to the older crowd who draw on fond memories of this attraction and a Disneyland (or Walt Disney World) of the 80’s amd 90’s. While it may be enjoyable to younger guests, I don’t see many of them clamoring to see it. I saw some kids who thought they were about to see Nemo. But I think this nostalgic feel like the one Main Street USA evokes will keep Captain EO around Tomorrowland longer than many might have anticipated.

Captain EO Reopens

WDWNT on February 23, 2010

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2010) – “Captain EO,” the classic musical spectacular that thrilled Disneyland park guests from 1986-1997, is now open at Disneyland. The attraction’s return to Tomorrowland provides new audiences the opportunity to experience the original 3D production for the very first time, as well as a nostalgic look back for longtime fans wanting to see “The King of Pop” in a rare performance created for the big-screen.

Twenty-three years ago, at the height of his phenomenal entertainment career, Michael Jackson joined forces with Disney, producer George Lucas and director Francis Ford Coppola to create a groundbreaking 17-minute 3D film experience starring Jackson as Captain EO performing two original songs, and featuring Academy Award®-winning actress Anjelica Huston, and a cast of merry, mythical space characters with dual personalities who undergo magical transformations to become Jackson’s electronic band in conquering the forces of darkness.

The colorful Disney-created characters include: Hooter, the little green elephant-like creature who sneezes wild musical notes through his flute-like trunk; Fuzzball, the orange-haired space monkey with butterfly wings; the Geex, a golden-haired, two-faced personality with two left feet, one right foot and two shaggy heads named Idy and Ody; Major Domo, whose mirrored silver costume becomes a complete set of drums, and Minor Domo with his sparkling purple torso that turns into an electronic synthesizer played by Hooter.

For all its technology, “Captain EO” is first and foremost a musical spectacular and a thrilling space-fantasy adventure. The realism of the 3D process will once again make it seem that Jackson dances right out of the screen into the theater. While it’s not possible to replicate some of the special effects elements from the original presentation, it will boast a new 70mm print of the film and sound better than ever thanks to acoustical enhancements made to the theater since the film last played there. The total effect is one of motion, color and high energy filled with Jackson’s musical brilliance and various illusions to create an exciting and realistic journey in space for the audience.

During the journey, Captain EO and his merry crew discover a colorless planet where they are confronted by the Supreme Leader (Huston) and her forces of darkness. Using the power of music, dance and light to fill the planet and the theater with all the shades of the rainbow, the EO crew turns the black and white land into a magical world of color and happiness.

“Captain EO” makes use of more famous-name talents than any other film of its length ever produced. The production called on Hollywood’s finest choreographers, set designers, costume creators and special effects artists – all of them excited by the challenge of shooting this kind of imaginative film in three dimensions.

“Captain EO” is presented multiple times daily at Disneyland.

“We Are Here to Sell You Stuff”

WDWNT on February 22, 2010

From the Art of Disney website:

Captain EO Merchandise – Available beginning February 23rd!

Disney enthusiasts will be excited to find special Captain EO inspired merchandise created in celebration of the re-opening of the attraction. Merchandise will include, ladies and men’s tees, fleece, military and beanie style hats, posters and souvenir items. In early March, be on the lookout for a specially created Captain EO embroidered nylon jacket. See merchandise and prices listed below.

Captain EO Logo Ladies Tee – $26.95

Captain EO Logo Men’s Tee – $24.95

Captain EO Poster Men’s Tee- $ 26.95

Captain EO Logo Crew Fleece – $42.95

Captain EO Logo Military Cap – $24.95

Captain EO Logo Beanie Hat – $24.95

Poster – $7.95

Captain EO Logo Button – $3.95

Captain EO Embroidered Nylon Jacket – Coming in early to mid-March!

Merchandise will be available at the following Disneyland® park locations and other select locations:

Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

Star Trader in Tomorrowland

Tomorrowlanding in Tomorrowland

Merchandise items may vary. Available while supplies last. Separate admission is required to enter Disneyland® park. Please note, the merchandise listed above is available for purchase at Disneyland® park only and will not be available to purchase via Disneyland Merchandise Guest Services. Information subject to change without notice.

Captain EO Opening Announced

WDWNT on February 20, 2010

The return date for Captain EO attraction has been announced which will be on February 23rd .

D23 released a article with some details and a little history about the attraction.

It’s only 17 minutes long, but Captain EO is among the most celebrated, park-exclusive movie musicals of all time. On February 23 at Tomorrowland Theater, Disneyland guests will be able to relive this space-traveling 3D experience all over again… and, in the case of younger guests who missed out on the intergalactic phenomenon, discover 1980s kinetic dance moves for the first time!

This attraction from the past returns to the Tomorrowland 3D theater in which it debuted more than 23 years ago. This time, the sci-fi adventure boasts a new 70mm film print and thanks to the theater’s added state-of-the-art acoustical enhancements — since Captain EO last played in 1997 — guests can expect the film to sound better than ever.

“Guests have been very enthusiastically asking to see Captain EO again,” says Tony Baxter, senior vice president, Walt Disney Imagineering, who helped oversee plans for the film’s return. “So we’re excited to bring back the magic, music and messages of this iconic attraction.”

While some elements of the original presentation aren’t possible to replicate, Tony adds, “We’ve been able to add some new surprises to the show.” A rare mix of colorful, imaginative filmmaking and legendary choreography rocketed Captain EO to become an instant hit upon its near-simultaneous debut at Disneyland Park and Epcot. The attraction first premiered at Epcot, with the Disneyland version opening six days later on September 18, 1986. On top of an all-star cast, the musical teamed executive producer George Lucas together with director Francis Ford Coppola. And this immersive, alien encounter was also a hit internationally, playing at Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris. The Southern California run lasted more than a decade and ended in April 1997, when it was replaced by Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.

EO‘s story is simple: A ragtag group of friends is on a quest to deliver a gift to the Supreme Leader (Anjelica Huston). The alien comrades, along for the ride, include: Fuzzball, the two-headed Idee and Odee, robotic security guards Major and Minor Domo and a lovable, elephantine purple alien named Hooter. Before they reach the Supreme Leader, Captain EO and his crew are taken hostage. Only by delivering his miraculous gift of song to the evil Supreme Leader can they ultimately win her over, save themselves and quite literally, change the world.

Just as important as the action that unfolds onscreen are Captain EO‘s memorable songs. Despite its brevity, the film features two show-stopping numbers that were written expressly for the story and have since become classics: “We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me.” Captain EO will once again take a new generation of guests on a dazzling visual and musical journey to the stars. The moon-walking adventure starts in February, so don’t miss out!

It has been reported that a line will form outside the gates for the opening of EO so be ready for insane crowds and long lines.