More Information Released for “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” Sneak Peak

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Information has been posted on Disneyland.com for the upcoming  3-D sneak peak of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” coming to the Festival Arena inside Disneyland Park.

Calling All Buccaneers!

For a limited time, Capt. Jack Sparrow is in need of a few good scoundrels to join his crew. Embark on the Thunder Mountain Trail, become a member of Jack’s crew and view a 3D extended sequence from the upcoming Walt Disney release of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides.

Keep a lookout on weekend nights March 25 through April 14, 2011 and every evening from April 15 to May 1, 2011.

Prepare for Adventure

Your training starts when a group of rollicking, marauding misfits teach the basics of the buccaneer trade. Along the way, fortify your courage with a mug of pirate grog and purchase swords, hats and eye patches.

The Great Pirate Gathering

The Festival Arena has been transformed to evoke Blackbeard’s mysterious ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. With training now complete, Capt. Jack Sparrow makes a visit and presents 3D Sneak Peek of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides., exclusive to Disneyland Park. But beware! Blackbeard may not be far off on the horizon.

The Attraction
Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides: Sneak Peek is an interactive stage event featuring state-of-the-art projections, 3D film sequences and special effects that include bursts of flame, dramatic sound effects and theatrical lighting.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” Sneak Peak Inside Disneyland Park

WDWNT on March 15, 2011

From Disney Parks Blog:

If you’re looking forward to the new adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” then you won’t want to miss the exciting new pirate experience coming to Disneyland park. Beginning March 25, you can join Jack and a crew of rowdy pirates for a Disneyland park-exclusive, extended 3D film sequence – a sneak peek of the new movie (opening May 20).

'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' Exclusive 3D Sneak Peek

It’ll be “all hands on deck” as park guests take on the role of pirates and enter Festival Arena to “set sail” for high adventure with Captain Jack and many of the new Pirate stars in the unique, immersive 3D film experience, featuring a scene from the new movie. Look for “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Sneak Peek” on weekend nights from March 25 to May 30, and seven nights a week from April 15 through May 1.

Check the Disneyland park Show Times Guide for nightly sailing times, and get ready for a rollicking good time filled with action, suspense and laughter.

It’s fun for the whole family – and it’s only at Disneyland park!

Are any of you scallywags out there excited to join Jack’s crew?

You can follow the film on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about the upcoming Disney Pictures release “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

Wondering What Ursula Will Look Like “Under the Sea”?

WDWNT on March 9, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

The infamous evil sea witch, Ursula, has taken her place inside The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction opening June 3 at Disney California Adventure park. When you’re on the attraction, you can’t miss her. She’s 7 ½ feet tall and 12 feet wide! Of course, the Disney Parks Blog was there to capture this exciting day! Come with us behind-the-scenes as we show you Ursula being installed, and meet some members of the amazing team of Walt Disney Imagineers who brought Ursula to “life.”

An Exclusive Look At Buena Vista Street

WDWNT on March 5, 2011

We were able to get our hands on several very detailed blueprints that overlook the Buena Vista Street expansion that is currently under construction at Disney California Adventure. Construction has already begun on the first half of Buena Vista Street (Carthay Circle) and is slated to be completed in 2012.

Starting off at the park entrance, the new turnstiles will be themed to the Pan-Pacific Theater similar to what is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over in Orlando. The path on the left is a mystery to me as nothing was there before so my assumption is that it will be used by Cast Members. The esplanade is unchanged.

Read More about An Exclusive Look At Buena Vista Street

“The Little Mermaid Clams Up”

WDWNT on March 1, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

It’s always fun to see the evolution of an attraction. From renderings to construction to opening day – every step is Disney magic at its best. In the past, we couldn’t really take you along for the ride. But now, the Disney Parks Blog gives you a backstage pass. In this video, shot at Disney California Adventure park, we once again take you behind the scenes of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. By the way, the idea of a Little Mermaid attraction has been bantered about since the movie opened back in 1989.

Recently, the Mermaid ride vehicles – which look like clam shells – were installed on the attraction at Paradise Pier. There are more than 100 clam shells. Some are green. Some are orange. And some are marigold. They each hold 2-3 people. (The ADA vehicles are “chariots” and they’re styled after carved chariot seats from carousels of the early 20th century.)

This video is from the recent installation. It reminds me of the holidays as one of the clam shells is unwrapped before being installed in the attraction. I am happy to be able to share this behind-the-scenes peek with you as we take the journey from creation, construction and grand opening of this amazing attraction. Enjoy!

More Destinations Revealed for “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”?

WDWNT on February 27, 2011

WDWNT’s own Cody Smith recently attended the “Love is Magical” pin event at Walt Disney World. How does this apply to Star Tours? Well, there was a pin preview board at the event, and Disney was showcasing some of the pins that will be released when Star Tours re-opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 20th and Disneyland Park June 3rd:

Now, the photo is not of the best quality, but we believe it reveals destinations guests will be traveling to in “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”, and maybe even what will happen when they get there. The two announced locations of Coruscant and Tatooine are represented. The Tatooine poster pin even shows the Starspeeder 1000 getting stuck in a podrace, a scenario that has already been revealed. With this in mind, we believe the other 6 pins reveal more destinations and events that guests may experience randomly.

Let’s examine the posters in order from left to right:

  • On Geonosis (a setting from Episode II), guests may be chased by Boba Fett and the Slave I vehicle.
  • The second pin features Darth Vader and the Death Star, so we may be running into some friends from the Empire once again.
  • Coruscant is the third poster, an already revealed location.
  • Kashyyyk is the 4th poster, the home of Chewbacca. Since we noticed concept art that looked like this planet behind George Lucas in a Disney-released publicity shot from many months ago and were then told we will see Chewbacca along the way, this location is really no surprise. However, the poster clearly states that we will visit Treetop Villas, perhaps an inside joke about Disney’s Treehouse Villas?
  • Hoth is the fifth planet poster. This snowy planet from Episode V has a poster featuring a Tauntauns and what we believe is a Wampa (the snow-monster that attacks Luke Skywalker).
  • Tatooine is the sixth planet poster. The already revealed scenario where guests get stuck in the middle of a podrace is featured here, including famous racer Sebulba from Episode I.
  • The seventh poster pin features Bespin, the cloud city from Episode V. You may remember Bespin was featured in the queue-area commercial Disney previewed last summer at Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando.
  • The final poster pin features Naboo from the prequel trilogy. Home to Queen Amidala and the Gungans (including Jar Jar Binks), the Starspeeder 1000 may encounter a giant sea monster like the one featured in Episode I.

Again, these destinations are not confirmed, but the appearance of the Starspeeder 1000 in these scenes and the fact that several already announced locations & character encounters are featured leads us to the conclusion that these are spoilers for the new attraction. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” becomes available.