Video: An In-Depth Look at Radiator Springs Racers

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

 

Cars Land last night held its grand opening ceremony for media and invited guests and all the attractions and food locations were open. We will have videos of all new attractions and locations in Cars Land up within the next few days. First video we have is a full ride through of Radiator Springs Racers including a full walk through of the queue, the two variations of the car “alteration” scene, and two angles of the thrilling race to the finish line.

 

Tim Alcoser Photo Report Cars Land Eve 6/13/12

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

We’ve waited years for this moment, and we finally have arrived. It’s the Eve of the rededication of Disney California Adventure and Carsland! There was a lot of hustle and bustle at the resorts today to prepare for the big Media Day and rededication ceremony. Most the walls have come down across both parks, with a mere rope holding us back to all the new sights and sounds that await. The Red Carpet is rolled out to Carsland from Carthay Circle Theatre, A Bug Life Theater has finished it’s new paint scheme, the walls to both Carsland and Buena Vista Street have come down for all to view, and likewise at the Matterhorn. The flag retreat ceremony is a great combo with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and Disney Spares no expense for top of the line advertising for June 15th, by recruiting the Good Year Blimp to fly around both parks for the majority of the day, with multiple LED messages.

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Bugs Land Theatre looking more beautiful than ever!

I must admit, Buena Vista Street was smaller than I thought.

I must admit, Buena Vista Street was smaller than I thought.

Rolling out the red carpet!

I have seen painters painting all day throughout the resorts for the past month. Must be making some great overtime!

I have seen painters painting all day throughout the resorts for the past month. Must be making some great overtime!

Carnation Cafe is open for your enjoyment.

Carnation Cafe is open for your enjoyment.

Just waitin' for guests.

More baby ducks!

More baby ducks!

If Duck's had an In N Out...it'd be here. I still say these are the luckiest ducks in the world.

If Duck’s had an In N Out…it’d be here. I still say these are the luckiest ducks in the world.

The Dapper Dan's singing patriotic songs.

The Dapper Dan’s singing patriotic songs.

Looks like the Disneyland Resort Advertising team got one heck of a budget!

Looks like the Disneyland Resort Advertising team got one heck of a budget!

The blimp featured LED messages of opening attractions on June 15th!

The blimp featured LED messages of opening attractions on June 15th!

Good Cast Members can really make or break your experience at the resort. This guy is explaining safety to guests right before Mickey's Soundsational Parade.

Good Cast Members can really make or break your experience at the resort. This guy is explaining safety to guests right before Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.

I found a Hidden Mickey most of you have never seen before.

I found a Hidden Mickey most of you have never seen before.

New signs at the Tram stop by Mickey and Friends.

New signs at the Tram stop by Mickey and Friends.

Thanks for reading!

More Concept Art for Mad T Party

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Robin Trowbridge of Disney Parks Blog:

 

By now, you may have heard that a funderful new party is in the making at Disney California Adventure park … theMad T Party! But, before experiencing the assortment of joyfulutionary entertainment that awaits you, you must make your way down the Rabbit Hole!

This magical, mystical passageway is unlike any other … and it leads to a party that is fit for a Queen (or King)! Guests will feel as if they are leaving their world behind and entering into a special place that just gets curiouser and curiouser!

But wait! Not just anybody will be allowed to enter! You must have a smile as big as a Cheshire Cat … and a laugh as mad as a Hatter! Helping us enforce the rules are our Mad T Party “bouncers,” Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

Enlisted by the Mad Hatter himself, these towering twins will officiate over the official opening of the Rabbit Hole each night. Afterwards, our D-lightful duo will remain outside the Rabbit Hole, making sure that all guests attending the Mad T Party are suitably splendiful.

Each night, a different password will be required in order to enter. How will you know the password of the day? That’s where our Hatters come in …

Fashionably festooned in wild colors and patterns – complete with TOP HATS – they are easily identified as they make their way through Disney California Adventure park. If you happen upon them, or if they happen upon you, they will offer an “invitation” that includes the night’s secret-but-not-too-secret password.

So, now you know how to enter the Rabbit Hole! And, from past Disney Parks Blog posts, you already know whom you will meet and what you might hear, which games you might play and when it all begins. The “Maddification” of Disney California Adventure park is almost upon us! Get your hats and smiles together and get ready to go “Mad” at the Mad T Party!

Ticket Prices Increasing at Disneyland

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

 

As we have done in the past, we wanted to give our loyal Disney Parks Blog readers a heads-up that ticket prices at the Disneyland Resort will be increasing, starting on May 20. This summer is one of the most anticipated times in the resort’s history, and a visit to the Disneyland Resort has never been a better value. In the past few years alone, we’ve added new world-class attractions, such as The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, “World of Color” and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Now, with the expansion of Disney California Adventure park, including the 12-acre Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Restaurant, almost complete, there are even more reasons to visit.

And this summer, both parks will open each day at 8 a.m. and offer increased entertainment, giving you and your family more time to stay and play. At Disney California Adventure park, we’re adding an additional showing of “Aladdin – a Musical Spectacular” and Pixar Play Parade will be presented up to twice daily. At Disneyland park, you’ll find more shows and characters at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree and increased performances at the Tomorrowland Terrace every day of the week, and the singing sensation “Voices of Liberty” performing at the Main Street Opera House.

We’re sharing the details here on the ticket prices, which also include increases to Disneyland Resort Annual Passports. Annual Passholders recognize that their investment pays for itself after just a few visits. Our California-based Annual Passholders have the added benefit and flexibility of a monthly payment program. This year, we’ll continue to offer unique passholder-exclusive entertainment and experiences, along with 10-20% discounts on select food and merchandise. As an example, you already know that Annual Passholders were invited to special viewings to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Fantasmic!” And later this summer, Passholders also will have early access to the parks through a new Annual Passholder Early Entry program – just for them. Details on this program were announced earlier this week here.

There are other ways to save when you visit. The popular 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket gives guests access to both parks on the same day, or if you are planning on playing with us longer, multi-day tickets also offer a variety of options for you to save on your California vacation. All updated pricing can be found here. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets on May 20.

New Retro Posters for Disney Parks

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Steven Miller of the Disney Parks Blog:

I recently visited California, where I had one of the most amazing experiences of my Disney career. Imagineer Vanessa Hunt gave me a tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library vault in Glendale. This place houses the original art of the most iconic images from Disney Parks’ history. Incredible! Vanessa shared that fellow Imagineer Danny Handke and she have written a book for Disney Editions called “Poster Art of the Disney Parks.” This hardcover book, with cover designed by Imagineer Glendon Lee, is coming to Disney Parks at the end of May. I asked Danny about the role that attraction posters have played.

“Attraction posters entice, excite and educate guests with a preview of the adventures and experiences inside the Disney Parks,” explained Danny.

“When Disneyland park opened in 1955, it was difficult for guests to understand what a ‘theme park’ was. The Disney Imagineers needed a solution to portray their attractions to a diverse audience. The idea to use posters at Disneyland’s Main Entrance was the perfect solution.”

The book was in development for four years! They conducted extensive research by interviewing close to 20 people, including current and former artists. Vanessa said that they put extra effort into making a beautiful book that all Disney fans could enjoy.

“We made an extra effort to ensure the posters in the book were printed as color accurate as possible,” continued Vanessa. “We even found a box containing several poster concepts that had never been published until now. The most challenge part was identifying artists. While many unidentified posters artists were later identified during our interviews, there are some that remain credited to ‘Unknown Artist.’”

I asked Danny about his favorite poster.

“I love the Tokyo DisneySea posters,” said Danny. “They are interesting because they reflect an overall cohesive design, but are stylistically individual to each land. Not many fans are familiar with the Tokyo DisneySea posters, so we hope everyone will appreciate this unique chapter in the book.”

Vanessa said her favorite poster comes from the Disneyland Resort.

“I love all of them, but the one that catches my eye every time I open the drawer is the Grand Canyon Diorama poster from Disneyland,” explained Vanessa. “The colors are absolutely beautiful and the train design is fantastic!”

Which is your favorite attraction poster? I vote Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!

Cars Land at Night

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Paul Hiffmeyer of Disney Parks Blog:

As construction wraps up in Cars Land, parts of the land gradually become “ready for their close-up.” And that’s when we can get to work on taking photos of what this amazing place will actually look like when it welcomes its first Disney California Adventure park guests on June 15.

Last month, I was able to share some of the first photos of Cars Land as it will be seen once the sun goes down, and today I’m pleased to be able to share a few more to help tell the whole story out in Radiator Springs.

So, cue the “Sh-Boom” song and let’s have a look!

Flo’s V8 Cafe is simply irresistible. And Ramone’s House of Body Art adds even more color to every shot. You won’t believe your eyes (or your lens!).

As pleased as I am with how these shots turned out, I have to tell you, nothing compares with actually standing on Route 66 surrounded by this beautiful neon with that incredible mountain range in the distance. And one piece of advice: Bring your camera!

Tim Alcoser’s 5/22/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Lots of cool stuff happening at the Resort today. We start with Carsland. I was able to catch a live commercial recording of the upcoming Carsland Commercial that will be hitting a local TV station near you soon! I wonder if they were all background actors? They watered down the roadway to make it look more dark for the cameras. There was everything from toddlers in strollers to old couples strolling Route 66. There are also new updates to the Mad T Party. I have to admit, it is looking fairly decent, and Disney has some creative people working on the sets. Moving over to Disneyland, you will see even more Memorial Day decorations, especially on Main Street USA. I take a stroll by Disney-Pixar’s Brave Merida Meet and Greet. Although Merida had packed up and went home for the night, you can see the entire set. They were also testing the new bobsled cars on the Mattehorn today. Also, there are some new pictures of the Monorail and a few extra pics of Pixie Hollow and The Teacups. Enjoy:

Take a good look. This scene is coming to a Disney Resort Carsland Commercial on a TV Station Channel near you!

Take a good look. This scene is coming to a Disney Resort Carsland Commercial on a TV Station Channel near you!

A few remaining columns from Epcot’s World of Motion in the backlot

Interesting...plastic?...uhh...furniture?

Interesting…plastic? Ummm… furniture?

I hope the lanterns are lit up bright.

I hope the lanterns are lit up bright

The inside of one of the lanterns.

The inside of one of the lanterns.

The teacup seems to simply be another space for a band member.

The teacup seems to simply be another space for a band member.

Is this where Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the bouncers) are going to stand?

Is this where Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the bouncers) are going to stand?

A scrim was placed over Carnation Cafe as it nears completion

The Brave meet and greet with Merida opened up

The area has been decorated quite a bit

Can you spot the new Matterhorn Coaster cars?

Can you spot the new Matterhorn boblseds?

A shot of the new Monorail updates! Can you guess what the name of this one is?

A shot of one of the new Cars monorails! Can you guess what the name of this one is?

The waterfalls now are basked in a brilliant blue light!

The waterfalls now are basked in a brilliant blue LED light!

Thanks for reading!

Fully Unveiled Carthay Circle Theatre @ DCA

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

This morning, Disney California Adventure park guests were greeted with a long-awaited sight: the walls that have surrounded Carthay Circle Theatre as it has risen from the south end of Buena Vista Street have finally come down!Paul Hiffmeyer was there, and has brought us the image above, showing the new park icon as guests saw it this morning. Beautiful, right?

Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog to see what else will be revealed at Disney California Adventure park as we get closer to the June 15 Grand Reopening!