Blue Sky Cellar Featuring Buena Vista Street Opened Today

WDWNT on September 23, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Red Car Trolley Poster

After a short closure, Blue Sky Cellar opened again today with new sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes looks at the continuing transformation of Disney California Adventure park. Guests will be able to view new videos, models and renderings to learn even more about the exciting changes coming to the park. Among the new artwork, you’ll also find three new attraction posters, including the one above featuring the new Red Car Trolley, coming to Buena Vista Street when it opens next year.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Poster

Also featured in Blue Sky Cellar are posters for current guest favorites – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Soarin’ Over California.

Soarin’ Over California Poster

Be sure to stop by Blue Sky Cellar and keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for updates on Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and more.

If you would like to see more photos, our good friends over at SoCal Thrills have a detailed photo report covering the new exhibits.

 

40th Anniversary Activities Officially Confirmed!

WDWNT on September 23, 2011

From the Cast Member Eyes and Ears publication:

While all of this official information is now public, there are a few more surprises expected on October 1. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available.

First Look at “Piratepalooza”

WDWNT on September 22, 2011


From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Piratepalooza Dance Party at Mickey’s Halloween Party, Disneyland Park

If yesterday’s Disney Parks Blog pirate takeover got your pirate flag flying, you should check out the new Piratepalooza Dance Party during Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland park.

Piratepalooza Dance Party at Mickey’s Halloween Party, Disneyland Park

Each night of Mickey’s Halloween Party, “Pirate” Goofy and his pirate pals will take over Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante and enlist guests into their pirate crew. Dance a pirate jig, join in a “yo ho” sing-along, and play swashbuckling pirate games. Young pirates-in-training can take home a special Pumpkin Pirate souvenir coloring sheet. It’s a pirate’s life for everyone! Arr!

“Boo-tiful” New Looks Coming to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

WDWNT on September 21, 2011

From Michelle Harker the Disney Parks Blog:

Can you believe it? Halloween is just a month away. The questions of what kind of treats to buy, what costumes to wear and how to make your home décor look more spook-tacular this year are starting to fill the air. Get your “To Do List” ready and let me give you a few tips on how you can make this Halloween more fun and less frightful.

Many locations throughout Disneyland Resort are set to meet all of your Halloween needs including World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District and Disney Showcase in Disneyland park. Make your way to Port Royal if your Halloween should suddenly turn into a “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Visiting Disney California Adventure park? Then consider Treasures in Paradise as your one-stop shop for costumes and Halloween accessories.

Princess Package at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland Park

Just in time for Mickey’s Halloween Party, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland park, best known for their princess dresses, tutus and tiaras, will offer an assortment of Halloween headwear that can be added to any transformation package. With a little Disney magic and a Halloween touch, your princess can have a “boo-tiful” new look. Cool Knights are in this Halloween season, too, ready for battle with a sword and shield in hand.

‘Mini’ Character-Inspired Hats at Studio 365

If your inner rock star is crying out, don’t let the ghostly spirits haunt you away from Studio Disney 365 in the Downtown Disney District. Experience “Stage Fright” on an entirely different level with a selection of “mini” character inspired hats, including Tinker Bell, Cheshire Cat or the Mad Hatter. Add a braid, a twist and a pop of color, and voila! Your rock star makeover is complete. Not only are you ready to make your debut, but you’ll dazzle other trick-or-treaters with your super star looks.

Let us “transform” you from head to toe this Halloween season. Halloween treats at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Studio Disney 365 will debut September 30, while other offerings are available in stores now. Cross a few things off your “To Do List” and plan on having fun this Halloween!

The Ultimate Battle Between Good and Evil! The Magic Kingdom Parking Lot?

WDWNT on September 21, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Are you a “hero” or a “villain”?

Pretty soon, that’s all guests at Magic Kingdom Park will need to remember in order to find their vehicle in the parking lot at the end of the evening – or at least, doing so will help narrow down the location.

Earlier this week, work began to split the parking lot into what will be two main sections, “Heroes” and “Villains,” and then smaller sections within each, including: Woody, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Simba, Mulan and Rapunzel (Heroes lot), and Zurg, Jafar, Hook, Scar, Cruella and Ursula (Villains lot). Each lot also will have its own color, so essentially, all you have to remember is one of these three characteristics (hero, Rapunzel or blue) and you can find your car.

If only Disney could help you remember what your rental car looks like!

(Note: The time completion of these parking lot changes may be influenced by weather).

Avatar Kingdom? Disney Parks Announces Deal to Bring Movie-Inspired Land to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on September 20, 2011

While not Disneyland Resort related, (at least for now) a special announcement was made today by Walt Disney Park and Resorts about a new franchise coming to the Disney Parks.

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

We have great news to share today. At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

AVATAR Coming To Disney Parks

James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record setting first film in the works, which will offer more fascinating stories, characters and locations to explore in the AVATAR universe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of the first AVATAR-themed land with construction expected to begin by 2013.

We believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in new ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.

The design phase on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom project has just begun so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details.

Got questions about the announcement? If so, Tom Staggs will be answering them in a special Q&A blog post later today. Just submit your name, city where you’re from and your question to questionsfortom@disney.com and then check the Disney Parks Blog later to see some of the answers.

For more details and continuing coverage of this story, please follow our sister site wdwnewstoday.com for any updates.

More Details on Disney Parks & AVATAR Deal

WDWNT on September 20, 2011

From D23:

09.20.11 – The new long-term agreement will bring Avatar-themed lands to Disney parks, with the first at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Disney plans to build the first Avatar-themed land at Walt Disney World, within the Animal Kingdom park.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide is joining forces with visionary filmmaker James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the world of Avatar to life at Disney parks. Through an exclusive agreement announced today by Disney, Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox, Disney will partner with Cameron and producing partner Jon Landau to create themed lands that will give theme park guests the opportunity to explore the mysterious universe of Avatar firsthand. Disney plans to build the firstAvatar-themed land at Walt Disney World, within the Animal Kingdom park. With its emphasis on living in harmony with nature, Animal Kingdom is a natural fit for the Avatar stories, which share the same philosophy. Construction is expected to begin by 2013.

“James Cameron is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible,” Bob Iger, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company, says. “With this agreement, we have the extraordinary opportunity to combine James’ talent and vision with the imagination and expertise of Disney.”

“Avatar created a world which audiences can discover again and again, and now, through this incredible partnership with Disney, we’ll be able to bring Pandora to life like never before,” James Cameron says. “With two new Avatar films currently in development, we’ll have even more locations, characters and stories to explore. I’m chomping at the bit to start work with Disney’s legendary Imagineers to bring our Avatar universe to life. Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear and touch the world of Avatar with an unprecedented sense of reality.”

“James Cameron is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible,” Bob Iger, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company, says.

The agreement announced today gives The Walt Disney Company exclusive global theme park rights to the Avatarfranchise and provides for additional Avatar-themed lands at other Disney parks. The other locations will be determined by Disney and its international theme park partners. James Cameron, Jon Landau and their Lightstorm Entertainment group will serve as creative consultants on the projects and will partner with Walt Disney Imagineering in the design and development of the Avatar-themed lands.

“This exciting new venture combines the world of Avatar with the enormous reach of Disney and the incomparable talent of Jim Cameron,” comments Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. ”While Jim is bringing audiences further into Pandora with the next two chapters in the Avatar motion picture saga, the theme park attraction will likewise bring a new dimension to the amazing universe he created.”

“Avatar is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney,” Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, says. “We can’t wait to give our guests the ability to journey to Pandora and explore the incredible immersive world of Avatar in person.”

In addition to setting a global box office record, Avatar has been hailed as one of the most innovative and visually stunning movies ever produced. With its advanced motion capture and 3-D digital projection technologies developed by James Cameron and his team, moviegoers were able to connect with the world of Avatar in new and engaging ways.

This new venture complements Walt Disney Parks & Resorts’ strategic efforts to continue to invest in its core theme park businesses around the world while simultaneously expanding into other parts of the family vacation business.

Avatar Kingdom? Disney Parks Announces Deal to Bring Movie-Inspired Land to Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on September 20, 2011

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

We have great news to share today. At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

AVATAR Coming To Disney Parks

James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record setting first film in the works, which will offer more fascinating stories, characters and locations to explore in the AVATAR universe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of the first AVATAR-themed land with construction expected to begin by 2013.

We believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in new ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.

The design phase on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom project has just begun so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details.

Got questions about the announcement? If so, Tom Staggs will be answering them in a special Q&A blog post later today. Just submit your name, city where you’re from and your question to questionsfortom@disney.com and then check the Disney Parks Blog later to see some of the answers.