The Technology Behind New Fantasyland

WDWNT on August 10, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Who’s up for another inside look at the construction of the New Fantasyland?

In the video below, Walt Disney Imagineering takes you onto the construction site to learn more about the innovative technology the Imagineers are using to build the new attractions, restaurants and other guest areas that will make up the expansion.

As you’ll see, this visualization technology allows the team to identify any potential challenges before construction begins. Tablet computers also allow Imagineers to take the program onsite to see how work is progressing.

If you look closely enough at the video, you’ll catch some pretty unique views inside Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and the Be Our Guest Restaurant.

“Key to the Kingdom” WDW 40th Anniversary Ink and Paint Cel Premieres

WDWNT on August 4, 2011

Art of Disney Parks recently announced a new Ink and Paint Cel that is on the way just in time for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary:

Event: Key to the Kingdom Ink and Paint Cel Premiere
Special Guests: Disney Design Group Artist, Costa Alavezos and Ink & Paint Artists, James Bonserio, Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger, Lynn Rippberger, Sharon K. Vincent
Event Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Event Times: 10:00am -1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Event Location: Studios Animation Gallery, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™

Celebrate 40 Magical years with the newest commemorative release from the Disney Studios Ink & Paint Team!

Key to the Kingdom captures the essence of wonder and excitement that comprised the magical kingdom since it opened its gates on October 1, 1971.

The talented Ink & Paint team hand painted the iconic Mickey Mouse and loveable Pluto onto each Key to the Kingdom cel in this celebratory release comprised of 1500 cels.

An exclusively designed pin has been created to commemorate the release of the new cel, the pin is available with the first 750 orders placed for a framed cel only.



Key to the Kingdom
Limited Edition Pin

The Ink and Paint cel frames are wooden frames with options of either black or gold finishing.  All Ink and Paint cels are framed in museum grade plexi to preserve the delicate art.

If you are unable to attend the premiere of Key to the Kingdom, but would still like to purchase the Ink & Paint cel, please contact Walt Disney Event Services to pre-order your cel.

All pre-orders must be placed with
Walt Disney Event Services no later than
Friday, September 2, 2011 by 3:00pm EST.

Walt Disney Event Services
at 407-827-7600
Monday – Friday
9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Key to the Kingdom 
IS AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING FRAME OPTIONS:

FRAMING OPTIONS & RETAILS
Unframed Cel $125
Black Frame and Cel $215
Black Frame with Pin and Cel $240
Black Frame with Pin, Postcard and Cel $265
Gold Frame and Cel $290

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room Officially Returns August 15th

WDWNT on August 2, 2011


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Sunshine Pavilion, featuring a show variously known as “Tropical Serenade” and “The Enchanted Tiki Birds,” debuted on Oct. 1, 1971, in Magic Kingdom. In 1998, following substantial refurbishment, it re-launched as The Enchanted Tiki Room-Under New Management, with two famous Disney birds – Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King – taking control and trying to spruce up the show.

Now the “new management” has been let go and the future of the Adventureland landmark is in the wings and wit of José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre – four crooning parrot hosts who have been entertaining guests at California’s Disneyland since 1963 in The Enchanted Tiki Room. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, as the Magic Kingdom attraction now will be called, is being prepared for the premiere (tentatively on Aug. 15, 2011) of a show that will pay tribute to the Disneyland original – notable in theme park history for ushering in sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology.

Prior to 1963, Walt Disney’s creative team had produced movable figures, but none had the sophistication of the bird-brained cast of the Tiki Room. José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre produce movements when solenoid coils hidden inside receive signals recorded onto magnetic tape and are regarded as the first “true” Audio-Animatronics figures.

They introduce a musical presentation by more than 200 birds, flowers and tikis. Even the audience gets into the act, joining in during the musical ditty “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing.”

While the show is steeped in tradition and maintains the original intent created by Walt Disney and his original team of Imagineers, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will feature the latest in technology – a state of the art show-control system, remastered audio, and a new versatile and energy efficient lighting system.

The attraction has shows throughout Magic Kingdom operating hours.

One Man’s Dream Now Provides An In-Depth Look at Fantasyland Expansion

WDWNT on July 20, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday to catch Lightning McQueen’s debut in Lights, Motors, Action!. While he was there, Adam checked out Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream to see if some of the updated exhibits had finally been installed. Well, they finally have:

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The Shaghai Disney Resort is already being previewed

Walt Disney Imagineering is responsible for the new Resort previews

A brief description of the Resort

The concept art we have seen already

Some Fantasyland exhibits were already here

The new exhibit is suspended on the wall above the display case

A compilation of Fantasyland concept art including Enchanted Tales with Belle, The Great Goofini, Gaston’s Tavern, Princess Fairytale Hall, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant

An overall look at the display

A monitor has also been installed which shows an in-depth look at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Here’s video of the monitor loop:

Concept art for Scuttle’s Scavenger hunt can be found in the new video loop

Looks like guests will de deciphering some kind of code

In this artwork, guests find items washing up on the beach

Here we see a close-up of Scuttle who we assume will be a living character in audio-animatronics form

For the first time, we have a name and another look at the proposed shop across from the Mermaid attraction, Triton’s Treasures. We can also see the Ariel meet and greet area labeled as Ariel’s Grotto.

For more information on the Fantasyland Expansion as it becomes available, stay tuned to WDW News Today and WDWFantasyland.com!

Parks and Resorts Announces “Carousel of Projects” for the D23 Expo

WDWNT on July 18, 2011

Fans attending Disney’s D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center will have the chance to experience “a great big beautiful tomorrow” as they immerse themselves in the future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which is currently in the biggest period of global expansion in its history.

Drawing inspiration from a classic attraction that debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and has made stops at Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts invites attendees to hop aboard the “Carousel of Projects” for a sneak peek at concepts, designs, models, storytelling tools, and technologies currently being developed at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disney parks around the world.

Throughout the weekend, exclusively at the D23 Expo, fans will get a look at the latest details for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ 11 parks and five resorts around the world, as well as Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club, including:

  • Actual figures, props and ride vehicles for Radiators Springs Racers, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the building of Cars Land, the newest land at Disney California Adventure which opens next year.
  • The opportunity to meet a classic Disney icon in an entirely new way.
  • Concepts, models and plans for Fantasyland, one of the most ambitious expansions in the 40-year history of Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
  • What’s new at Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club.

In addition to the pavilion, D23 Expo attendees will also have the chance to attend numerous presentations and panel discussions. On Friday, August 19, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs will give guests in the 4,000-seat main arena an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest projects currently underway at Disney parks, featuring a few surprises along the way.

Imagineers and cast members who create and operate Disney’s parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with nine exciting presentations including:

  • Radiator Springs Reality: Imagineering Cars Land for Disney California Adventure—Join Disney/Pixar’s John Lasseter and a panel of Imagineers and Pixar creative talent as they share the twists and turns through the real-life development of Radiator Springs.
  • The Making of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue—Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald will share the inside scoop on how Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic began laying the groundwork for a new version of Star Tours.
  • A Good Look at Buena Vista Street—Imagineers Lisa Girolami, Ray Spencer, and Coulter Winn provide a preview of the new entrance to Disney California Adventure, an idealized depiction of the Los Angeles Walt Disney lived and worked in throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
  • Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy—Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Bob Zalk talk about charting the design course of the two newest Disney cruise ships.
  • Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering—Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Imagineering, including Alice Davis, Orlando Ferrante, Bob Gurr, and Don Iwerks. With special guest and current Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Disney Legend Leota Toombs.

In addition, and for the first time, the Parks and Resorts pavilion will also feature Mickey’s of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering’s employee-only store, where—for just three days—guests can shop for “Carousel of Projects” souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow Concept Art?

WDWNT on July 15, 2011

While preparing for this week’s podcast, I happened to come across something of interest…

What is it? That’s a good question. If you look closely, you’ll see some recognizable characters. Starting on the left, you’ll see what we think is “Lambert the Sheepish Lion” standing on a pile of other lions. The photo to the right of that has the seal from “Mickey and the Seal” blowing horns next to buckets of fish. The next photo features the penguins from Mary Poppins forming a pyramid and twirling plates. The next picture has what looks like the Big Bad Wolf blowing up Mickey balloons (Get it? He huffs, and he puffs, and he blows up balloons!). The final photo is hard to make out, but it’s like Bongo the Bear from “Fun and Fancy Free” on a unicycle. There’s another photo towards the top of the image that shows either Mickey Mouse or Oswald the Lucky Rabbit practicing the death-defying feat of sticking a limb in the mouth of a lion, but it’s too small and we can’t see enough of it to be sure.

What are these? We think these are concept art for Pete’s Silly Sideshow coming to Storybook Circus as part of the Fantasyland Expansion. The banners above each set of characters are similar to those that would label each act in a circus or carnival sideshow. Where these will be located in Storybook Circus and exactly what they are (moving dioramas or an animatronic show) remains a mystery. For that matter, these could be rejected concepts from the project. Regardless, it’s an interesting teaser for what might be on the way to the Magic Kingdom, so stay tuned…