Interact With The World

WDWNT on May 8, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When Walt Disney World guests “shrink” to the size of the toys they play with at home (or remember from their childhood) and become the star performers in the midway-game world of Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they are experiencing the essence of Disney Parks: engagement in such an immersive and interactive way that guests become part of the show.

Every day, Disney cast members invite guests to play special roles in entertainment throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Other immersive experiences include such roles as starring in a parade down Main Street, U.S.A., learning dance moves from the Disney Channel sensation “High School Musical 2,” dueling with Darth Vader and many more.

“These experiences transport our guests deep into the magical realms of what Disney parks are all about,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Rather than imagine being in a Disney parade or what it’s like to sail with Captain Jack Sparrow, these transformational experiences put our guests right in the heart of their dreams.”

It’s a Disney tradition that goes back to the very beginning of Disney Parks — the opening of Disneyland in 1955 — and is a consideration every time the famed Disney Imagineers huddle to fathom new magic.

In the latest immersive-entertainment experience, Toy Story Mania! guests are transported into a 4-D world where they compete in virtual midway-style games hosted by characters from the Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Donning 3-D glasses and using spring-action shooters, guests launch virtual darts at balloons, rings at aliens and eggs at whimsical barnyard targets to see who can rack up the most points. Guests may even experience some special 4-D effects during different parts of the game.

And the interactive fun doesn’t stop when guests put down their toy shooters. Here’s a sampling of other immersive experiences happening every day at Walt Disney World Resort:

  • “Block Party Bash” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). A new traveling show that lets guests play, dance and party with favorite Disney-Pixar characters from smash-hit animated films like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.” Block Party Bash rocks and rolls throughout the park, putting guests in the middle of an impromptu party during one of the wildest, most interactive street spectaculars ever.
  • “High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Wildcat fever has guests dancing in the streets in the new interactive show presented multiple times daily. Inspired by the Disney Channel’s record-breaking, original film, “High School Musical 2,”the high-energy cast invites guests to join the fun as they sing and dance along to the movie’s hit tunes, including “What Time Is It?,” “All For One” and “I Don’t Dance.”
  • Jedi Training Academy (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Taking a cue from the popular Star Wars Saga, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for an original and intergalactic entertainment experience. Young Jedi hopefuls — known in ‘Star Wars-speak’ as “Padawans” — learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master before facing off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader. Created with Lucasfilm Ltd., Jedi Training Academy is presented multiple times daily, adjacent to the popular Star Tours attraction.
  • “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Some of the most beloved characters from the Disney Channel lineup are featured in a singing, clapping and be-bopping show designed for preschoolers. The show stars favorites from popular Disney Channel programs including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more.
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland). Armed with infrared lasers, Magic Kingdom guests join forces with Buzz Lightyear to defend Earth’s supply of batteries from the evil Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a spinning, brought-to-life Tomorrowland spin-off of the hit movie “Toy Story.” The shoot-’em-up fun triggers sight and sound gags, while a lighted display inside toy-spaceship ride vehicles allows guests to keep score.
  • Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (Magic Kingdom Adventureland).Looking for new recruits, Captain Jack and his mate Mack lead guests through a series of pirate skill tests to prove their mettle. Who is craftiest at wooden swordplay? Who can flash their most menacing pirate grimace? Faster than you can say “Yo, Ho! Yo, Ho! A Pirate’s Life for Me!” the big moment arrives: getting officially sworn in with the Pirate’s Oath to become honorary buccaneers of Captain Jack’s famous Pirate Crew.
  • Woody’s Cowboy Camp (Magic Kingdom Frontierland). There’s a rootin’ tootin’ good time in store as Woody, Jesse and Bullseye invite everyone to Woody’s Cowboy Camp! Ridin’ in on a wagon are some of their best cowpoke pals, along with Sam the Singin’ Cowboy who leads a rollicking hoedown. Led by Bullseye and saddled up on wooden stick horses, kids giddy-up their way through a cowboy obstacle course — maneuvering around parents donning hats shaped like cacti, mountains and mine shafts. It’s kick-up-your-spurs, hootin’ and hollerin’ fun as the cowboy spirit comes to life on the dusty streets of Frontierland.
  • “Main Street Family Fun Day Parade” (Magic Kingdom Main Street, U.S.A.). For the very first time, guests are able to parade down Main Street, U.S.A. alongside favorite Disney characters. It’s a pennant-waving, drum-beating rush for guests when they join characters and march alongside parade floats, a marching band and an old-timey fire truck. There’s even a stroller drill team to accommodate little paraders and their parents. When the parade hits Town Square, guests join the performers for a flag-waving patriotic finale.

Also happening in the theme parks every day:

  • “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” (Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland). Guests laugh, joke and match wits with the beloved animated characters from Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” in an engaging and interactive attraction created by the Disney Imagineers. “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” features one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski, who has opened a comedy club to collect laughs that will generate power for the future. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits two comedian wannabes whose slapstick humor delights and engages audiences. Guests even get to text-message jokes on their cell phones for possible use in the show.
  • “Turtle Talk With Crush” (Epcot). Crush, from Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” has made a different kind of screen debut in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot — as a chatting, joking quipster who engages guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. “Turtle Talk With Crush” showcases real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.

And that’s not all! Coming in winter 2008:

  • “American Idol” Attraction (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Starry-eyed Disney guests will get a taste of TV’s pop culture phenomenon — up close and personal — when Disney’s Hollywood Studios unwraps an “American Idol” attraction in winter 2008. Guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive setting modeled after the “American Idol” set. There will be multiple show times daily. Guests advancing through the screening process have the chance, in the nightly final competition, to win a guaranteed reservation for a regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.

 

Disney

WDWNT on April 10, 2008

I found a rather funny press release put out by Disney earlier this week and felt I should share it with our readers. This is probably the first time Disney has acknowledged that they have a huge number of attractions based on Pixar films:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It’s a Pixar palooza at Disney Parks! In family-friendly attractions and immersive experiences on both coasts of the United States, guests can do it all — find Nemo, zap Zurg and meddle with Monsters.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Coming this summer to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., is a whole new interactive adventure: Toy Story Mania!

Celebrating Disney-Pixar classics “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” this new ride-game experience combines delightful film characters with personality-matching games guests can play. Donning 3-D glasses, guests shrink to the size of a toy and hop fanciful ride vehicles following a midway-themed route. At each game booth, they aim for animated targets using special on-board spring-action shooters. And since games adapt to the skill level of each player, beginners and gamers alike have plenty of reasons to ride — and play — again and again.

Toy Story Mania! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida in late May and at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in late June. It joins these other experiences inspired by favorite Disney-Pixar characters and films.

At Walt Disney World Resort:

  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor — Guests find the power of laughter in an engaging and interactive adventure inspired by “Monsters, Inc.” as they match wits with the one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski and his friends. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits comedian wanna-bes whose humor delights audiences at a 400-seat theater in Magic Kingdom.
  • Finding Nemo-The Musical — The undersea world that charmed audiences in “Finding Nemo” comes to life in a musical stage show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The 30-minute Broadway-style production immerses guests in the story of Marlin and Nemo, an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son, with imaginative puppetry, dazzling special effects and an original musical score.
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends — This whimsical and visually stunning attraction at Epcot picks up where the film “Finding Nemo” left off. Riding aboard “clamobiles” in a colorful coral reef setting, guests meet Mr. Ray and learn that Nemo has wandered off. The journey continues as Dory, Bruce, Marlin, Squirt and Crush help with the search. These deep-sea friends inhabit a variety of vibrant vignettes, including a huge aquarium that contains more than 65 species of marine life.
  • Block Party Bash — This high-energy extravaganza at Disney’s Hollywood Studios cranks the music and excitement to the max, putting guests in the middle of the wildest Disney spectacle ever — a non-stop musical block party that doubles as a fun-filled interactive street spectacular. Featuring characters from “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monster’s, Inc.” and “The Incredibles,” “Block Party Bash” combines dancers, acrobats, stilt performers and a caravan of electric scooters to fill the performance area with awe-inspiring visual and sound sensations.

    •           At Disneyland Resort:

  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage — Guests embark on an underwater expedition where they discover Nemo and his finned friends from “Finding Nemo.” Thanks to cutting-edge imaging technology, characters such as Dory, Marlin, Crush, Bruce and, of course, Nemo, come to life before guests’ eyes in a brilliantly colored lagoon at Disneyland Park. 
  • a bug’s land — Designed especially for kids, this land at Disney’s California Adventure features Flik’s Fun Fair, which is full of attractions inspired by the film “A Bug’s Life.” Children can experience the world from a bug’s point of view by visiting Flik’s Flyers, Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Princess Dot Puddle Park, and Tuck and Roll Drive’Em Buggies. Families can then cap off their adventures with a screening of the 3-D spectacular “It’s Tough to be a Bug.”
  • Monster’s Inc., Mike and Sulley to the Rescue — Disney’s California Adventure guests are in for a ride of “monstrous” proportion as they climb aboard taxis and hit the streets of Monstropolis with Mike, Sulley and Boo. Along the way they’ll encounter the super-sneaky Randall Boggs, the yellow-suited agents of the Child Detection Agency and other characters from the film.
  • Pixar Play Parade — Characters from Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars” and “Ratatouille” dance onto the parade route and invite guests of all ages to join in a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground. This daily spectacle at Disney’s California Adventure is brought to life in giant parade floats, puppetry, acrobatics and interactive surprises including bubble, fire and water effects.

    •           At both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort:

  • Turtle Talk With Crush — Crush from “Finding Nemo” has made a different kind of screen debut at Epcot and Disneyland Park — as a chatting, joking quipster who engages guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. The interactive show is a breakthrough experience in real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug — Inside the massive trunk of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, and at the heart of Disney’s California Adventure’s “a bug’s land,” is “It’s Tough to be a Bug,” a humorous 3-D film and special effects show starring Earth’s least-known wild creatures — and a few familiar faces from “A Bug’s Life.” Guests will recognize friendly Flik and the villainous Hopper, but the rest of the show promises some “stingingly” surprising antics.
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (WDW) / Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters (DLR) — Armed with infrared lasers, guests join forces with Buzz Lightyear to defend Earth’s supply of batteries from the evil Emperor Zurg in a spinning, brought-to-life spin-off of the movie “Toy Story.” The shoot-’em-up fun at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park triggers sight and sound gags, while a lighted display inside toy-spaceship vehicles allows guests to keep score.

    • For more information about Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort visit disneyworld.com and www.disneyland.com.

    Innoventions Is No Longer Fantastic

    WDWNT on April 7, 2008

    The long running Fantastic Plastic Works inside Innoventions at Epcot has closed to make way for a new exhibit. While speculation is that this will be the site for the new weather themed exhibit, it is a rather large space and may come in use for more than one new spectacle. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on this story.

    Imagination Unclear

    WDWNT on April 4, 2008

    Another permit has been filed to perform construction on the Imagination pavilion at Epcot, however, it is unclear as to what area it is for. The permit states that work will be done to “build new partition walls and install metal doors” somewhere in the area, most likely either for the new character meet and greet area to replace Figment’s Place or to update the old Imageworks that lay dormant in the upstairs of the current attraction. To see the permit that was filed, go HERE. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on this as it becomes available.

    Thanks to Adam Roth of WDWCelebrations for the update!!!

    Lights Out at Epcot

    WDWNT on March 28, 2008

    Sara K. Clarke and Jason R. Garcia | Orlando Sentinel Staff Writers

    Most of Disney’s Epcot Center lost power this morning, according to park employees and visitors. Power was back on in some parts of the park in the afternoon, but some major attractions were down.

    At about 1:30 p.m., Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination were still listed as “down,” according to a park board that updates visitors on the status of rides. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience was closed, but it wasn’t clear whether that was because of the outage. Contacted early this afternoon, Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said she had not yet heard of the outage.

    It was not immediately clear what caused the outage. There was a long line at Guest Relations, where some visitors were trying to get refunds or tickets to transfer to a different Disney park. One guest said people were given the option of getting a Park Hopper ticket to use today or a one-day pass to use another day.

    Power went down about 11:30 a.m., said Bobbi Baessler, a park visitor from Chicago. “We saw the monorail, and it was stopped,” said Baessler, who was in line hoping for a refund or admission to another park. “We were waving to all the people. At least we weren’t stuck up there.” Baessler said it was her family’s last day in Orlando. “So it’s not like we can come back tomorrow.”

    Tom Connelly, of New York, said he was waiting for the Living with the Land ride with his family of five when the line stopped moving. They eventually got out of line and went looking for another attraction. “We were walking around from ride to ride,” he said. “Everything was closed.”

    One thing that added to confusion was that many park workers were reluctant to say why rides were closed, Connelly said. He and his family passed the time by going to the World Showcase, which had power. But outside concessions there were closed as well, and many vendors were draining their freezers, he said.

    Catching Up With the World

    WDWNT on March 27, 2008

    As we catch up on the last two days, here is some Walt Disney World news that has come out since our site difficulties:

    -As reported on our forums, the Figment’s Place meet and greet and the Figment walk around character have been retired at Epcot. Expect Dreamfinder and his “little” purple dragon to return to the park sometime in the next few months, probably late 2008/early 2009.

    -The “Partners” statue depicting Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom has been repainted with a new look. Some of the Mickey (his face, pants, and shoes) has been repainted gold. The new look is very nice and we hope to have a picture of it up soon.

    Spring in Bloom, Disney Style

    WDWNT on March 19, 2008

    Here is an article from the Disney Insider on the 2008 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival beginning tomorrow:

    Have you ever wondered what it’s like to enter a lush garden aflutter with hundreds of butterfly wings? Or how about escaping into a serene water garden? These are just some of the adventures awaiting Guests at the Epcot International Annual Flower and Garden Festival. Celebrating its fifteenth year, the flourish-filled fest has extended its run to 75 days, from March 19 to June 1, offering a magical journey into the world of gardening. Guests are greeted by a 14-foot topiary of Goofy riding the waves at the Epcot’s front gate while Mickey and Minnie relax beachside in a nod to this year’s theme, “Fun in the Sun.” More Disney Characters will be blooming than ever before, along with specialty gardens geared toward food lovers, English tea aficionados, and even those with not-so-green thumbs.

    The festival’s most popular event is Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden, where Guests can surround themselves with 500 American butterflies in a 1,400-square-foot enclosed house. With a little patience, you can observe an amazing metamorphosis as the chrysalis opens and a butterfly emerges, gently pumping newborn wings for its first attempt at flight. But there’s more to observe here than just the obvious beauty. Eric Darden, Horticulture Manager for Epcot and the Food and Garden Festival, explains that, “Telling the story of our native butterflies informs our Guests while promoting butterfly-friendly gardening.”

    In addition, the festival features numerous activities that focus on green issues. Xeriscapes, a brand-new exhibit, provides an eco-conscious choice for the horticulturally challenged. Taking the country’s recent droughts into account, Eric states, “we are asking Guests to consider the environmental impact when they go home.” This easy-to-care-for garden is packed with plants requiring minimal water aside from natural precipitation, illustrating a worry-free option for the water conscious.

    Advanced gardeners looking to unearth some new tips and tricks will enjoy the ongoing lecture series featuring the man in red suspenders himself, Roger Swain, longtime host of PBS’s “The Victory Garden,” along with many of the country’s top horticulturalists. Although Disney might be the “House of Mouse,” 2008’s Year of the Rat is the perfect time to explore the Chinese zodiac at the festival’s Topiary Chinese Zodiac Garden.

    There’s plenty to do with little ones in tow. Every year the festival adds more activities the entire family can enjoy. For boys who don’t want to grow up, Peter Pan’s Never Land Garden is a great place to explore, with Captain Hook and Peter Pan topiaries whisking them away to a make-believe world. Proving fun is for kids of all ages, the Flower Power Concert Series, features stars like Davy Jones, the Nelsons, and other memorable acts from decades past. Annual Passholders can unwind from the afternoon grind and get grooving to some of their favorite artists. Whether your thumb’s ever-green or you’re a gardening washout, Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival offers blooms, tunes, and something truly spectacular for every member of the family.

    Spaceship Earth Re-Dedication Coverage

    WDWNT on March 6, 2008

    For those of you who are interested, complete coverage of the March 4 re-dedication of Spaceship Earth presented by Siemens at Epcot is available over WFTV. Their coverage of the event includes a full article and video of the small, unannounced ceremony from Tuesday.

    We’re Back With News

    WDWNT on February 16, 2008

    Here is what we missed during our short downtime:

    -Splash Mountain is once again operating at the Magic Kingdom. The ride was not suppose to re-open until February 18th.

    -The Earful Tower at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is recieving its new logo:

    Hi Definition Video (720p):  Click Here

    -The Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom may be recieving a new name in the near future, Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party.

    After a short period of closure this week, Spaceship Earth at Epcot has re-opened with an enhanced descent portion.

    -The descent now features some triangle panels that light up above you (again matching the panels on the outside of SSE).

    -A new video has replaced the stars and trivia segment while you wait for your future to be created on the touch screen.

    -The interactive map has returned, and now adds your ride photo to the giant globe in the Project Tomorrow post show area.

    -There are some new kiosks near the globe that are not yet operational, but once they are, you will be able to email photos and even the “your future” video from the attraction to anyone.

    We will obtain some pictures of these updates as soon as we can, but as you know, we are having our own refurbishment problems.