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.

Complete Details on Magic Kingdom 40th Anniversary Artist Celebration

WDWNT on September 16, 2011

If you have been following the updates we have been making on wdwnewstoday.com/wdw40, you already know that October 1st at the Magic Kingdom will bring a ton of artist signing events to the park for the 40th anniversary and the release of new merchandise to mark the special occasion. Well, Disney has released details on a few more pieces that will be available on that day:

Celebrate 40 Years of Walt Disney World Magic on Saturday, October 1st!

Walt Disney World® Resort 40th Anniversary
Artist Signing Events at Magic Kingdom® Park!

Have you marked your calendars for the 40th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World?

Join us on Saturday, October 1 for an anniversary celebration at Magic Kingdom Park commemorating 40 years of Disney magic.

Throughout the celebration, renowned Disney Artists will appear throughout Magic Kingdom Park for meet & greets and artist signings at Diamond Horseshoe and Uptown Jewelers.

40th Anniversary Kooky Pen Signing
Special Guests: Kooky Pen Creator, Brent Reese and
Disney Design Group Artist, Costa Alavezos
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 9:00am-11:00am

Disney Traditions Haunted Mansion
Organ Player Sculpture Signing
Special Guest: Disney Traditions Artist, Jim Shore
Signing Location and Time:
Uptown Jewelers, 11:00am-2:00pm

Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Collection
by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily
Special Guests: Disney Artists, Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 1:00pm-3:00pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Original Artwork and Custom 40th Anniversary Vinylmation created by NOAH
Special Guest: Artist, Noah
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 11:30am-1:30pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

40th Anniversary Celebration Artwork
Special Guest: Artist, Greg McCullough
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 11:30am-1:30pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Miniature Replica Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza and Haunted Mansion by Robert Olszewski
Special Guest: Miniaturist, Robert Olszewski
Signing Location and Time:
Uptown Jewelers, 12:00pm-2:00pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Magic Kingdom and Haunted Mansion Limited Edition Mixed Media Sculptures Signing
Special Guest: Artist, Dave Avanzino
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 1:00 pm-3:00pm & 4pm-5pm

40th Anniversary Limited Edition Artisan Watch Collection
Special Guest, Disney Artisan Watch Artist, Gene Gonda
Signing Location and Time:
Uptown Jewelers, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Imagineers Turn Cement Into Scenery for “Under the Sea”

WDWNT on September 15, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

One of the highly anticipated attractions coming to New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park is Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid.

The attraction, a seaside grotto beneath the castle of Prince Eric, is where guests enter the world of Ariel and her friends for an adventure filled with songs from the classic film. But you don’t have to wait until it opens to take a look inside. Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this video with us, in which Imagineer Eric Miller explains how the team is creating a realistic underwater environment for Ariel that’s inspired by the film.

This amazing and detailed process involves sketches, models, computer technology, construction and artistry. See for yourself!

Four Seasons Resort On Track for 2014 Opening

WDWNT on September 14, 2011

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

Take a look at what’s coming to our Golden Oak community at the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a new Four Seasons resort that’ll have a rooftop restaurant with Magic Kingdom Park views and a few other special touches Disney Parks Blog readers will want to check out.

The 444-room hotel will have three pools, a “lazy river” and of course, a spa with 18 treatment rooms. There will be several sport facilities, including tennis courts, a climbing wall and more when construction is completed.

Work begins in a few months with a target opening date of 2014. And we’ll have more to share on this in the future so keep checking the blog for updates.

Parks & Resorts Shows “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” at Carousel of Projects

WDWNT on September 12, 2011

Our post D23 Expo 2011 coverage continues with a comprehensive video of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Carousel of Projects pavilion. Inside the Carousel of Progress inspired pavilion, guests were given an inside look at some of the largest projects in Walt Disne Imagineering history: Cars Land, New Fantasyland, Buena Vista Street, the Disney Fantasy, the Shanghai Disney Resort, and much more. Enjoy your spin around the future of Disney Parks and Resorts around the world:

“Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” Announced

WDWNT on September 6, 2011

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

Today, we’re thrilled to share plans for a new role-playing adventure coming to Walt Disney World called Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. This is going to be fun – and it’s all happening inside the park. Merlin the magician will recruit guests to become apprentice sorcerers and then help them with maps and clues that show where and how to defeat an army of Disney villains.

Looks interesting, right? Work on this new adventure is already underway. You may notice a few giant crates and even some new spaces showing up throughout Adventureland. They’ll provide early clues to the challenge you’ll face while trying to save the Magic Kingdom.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to debut in early 2012. And we’ll be sharing more details in the future so keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for updates.