Disney has released a video previewing the nighttime memories show that will be presented on select evenings in 2011. The projections are incredible to say the least, but you should really take a look for yourself:
Official release from Disney Parks:
In 2011, Disney guests will become the stars of a nightly spectacular when photos taken in the park during the day become larger-than-life projections on Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort or “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Resort. This groundbreaking new experience will celebrate the family vacation memories created in Disney theme parks every day.
And this week, Disney guests will begin starring on television, too, as part of the new “Let the Memories Begin” campaign. For the first time, Disney Parks is featuring the home videos and snapshots of real guests in television ads and other marketing that will allow an audience of millions to share in true-life, heartfelt moments.
“A Disney vacation is the perfect way to create family memories that will last a lifetime,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at a media announcement Thursday in New York. “We’ll spotlight those ‘only-at-Disney’ moments with family and friends during our ‘Let the Memories Begin’ campaign.”
A just-released survey of U.S. and Canadian families conducted for Disney Parks by Ypartnership, a noted research firm that tracks consumer insights and trends in travel, showed that vacation memories hold a special place in family history.
Nine out of 10 parents said they planned their vacations with the express hope that they would result in a lasting family memory, the survey showed. And those memories stuck with them – nearly three-quarters said they think back “often” or “very often” on their favorite vacation experiences.
‘Memories in the Making’ to be Shared on Disney Park Icons
Beginning in January 2011, some Disney parks guests will find that the memory they just made has become a larger-than-life image during a “Let the Memories Begin” nighttime experience.
At Walt Disney World Resort, the guest photos will be projected on the soaring spires of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland Resort, the iconic façade of “it’s a small world” will be the canvas for the show.
In both locations, Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture guests caught up in the Disney experience – a memory in the making – and as many as 500 photos will be used in each location every day, producers estimate.
The nighttime show will use the latest in high-intensity projection technology to create vivid visuals that seem to defy the architecture of the building. A new song commissioned for the show will provide an emotional context for these images of the Disney guest experience.
For TV Ads and More, Disney Parks Issues a ‘Call for Memories’
Beyond seeing their own projected photos in lights, guests also could become the stars of Disney Parks television commercials, online campaigns and social media opportunities that will showcase to the world the power of memories.
The campaign kicks off this week with a TV commercial created from videos posted online in social media forums.
For future TV commercials and other advertising and marketing programs, Disney Parks is asking guests to share their memories by uploading photos and videos at a special “Let the Memories Begin” online hub at www.DisneyParks.com/Memories. From a first meeting with a princess to a laugh-filled watery touchdown on Splash Mountain, Disney Parks is looking for videos and photos that capture those never-to-be-forgotten experiences.
Some memories will be shared online, while others may be selected to share in print ads, brochures and other marketing – including television ads to air across the United States and Canada.
With real visitor images on iconic attractions and home video featured in commercials, the storytellers at Disney Parks are letting guests tell their own stories in 2011, Staggs said.
“We wanted to give our guests a powerful way to share the memories they create every day in our parks,” Staggs said. “Essentially, this becomes our first user-generated show and our first user-generated marketing campaign.
“A day at a Disney park is filled with magical experiences that become cherished and unforgettable memories – and now we’re helping our guests share those memories with the world.
More Ways to Make Disney Vacation Memories in 2011
To help make special memories last a lifetime, in 2011 Disney Parks is adding new theme park experiences in California and Florida, new vacation opportunities on the high seas with Disney Cruise Line, a new luxury resort on a breathtaking lagoon in Hawaii, and new ways to explore the world with Adventures by Disney.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s in store:
- “World of Color” (Disneyland Resort): “World of Color,” the new nighttime spectacular presented in Disney California Adventure park, brings classic Disney and Disney•Pixar animation to life with nearly 1,200 powerful fountains, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, music and special effects.
- Disney California Adventure Expansion (Disneyland Resort): Next up for the continuing expansion of the park is the first major attraction based on the modern Disney classic, “The Little Mermaid.” The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will treat guests to a musical retelling of the classic motion picture as the best-loved songs come alive in magnificent scenes all around them.
- New Star Tours 3-D Adventure (Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort): Bridging that “long time ago” between the two “Star Wars” trilogies, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will take flight in 2011 and take voyagers to thrilling destinations throughout the “Star Wars” galaxy. And it will all happen in brilliant, 3-D technology.
- Disney Cruise Line: The Disney Dream, the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line, launching January 2011, will bring to life grand innovations and more, offering a cruise experience from stem to stern that caters to preferences of the entire family. The Disney Wonder cruise ship will “go west” in early 2011; and new West Coast itineraries for Disney Cruise Line will include, for the first time, Alaska cruises sailing from Vancouver.
- Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina Hawai`i: A first-of-its-kind Disney resort in Hawaii creates a perfect setting for family fun. The new resort, which includes traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, is being built on 21 acres of oceanfront property, 17 miles from Honolulu International Airport and approximately 30 minutes from Waikiki.
Here’s how you can be a part of a Disney Parks ad:
You’ve made Disney vacation memories and captured them in photos or video. Now you intend to share them with the world by posting them online.
Disney Parks has created a place where you can share those memories and view the Disney memories of other vacationers – with the possibility that they’ll be shared with yet more people in a Disney television “spot” or in print or online communications.
As Disney Parks launches “Let the Memories Begin” with communications that acknowledge making memories as “the masterpiece of parenthood,” the company also has launched a website for sharing and viewing memories. Guests can upload their photos, videos and text-only memories at DisneyParks.com/Memories. They can even categorize their memories by theme, emotion and location.
The DisneyParks.com/Memories website (also available soon in Spanish and French) has a simple-to-use interface for uploading, viewing and searching Disney memories. The functionality also will be part of the Disney Parks pages on Facebook, YouTube and MySpace.
Memory submission is as easy as 1-2-3:
- Choose to share your memory on DisneyParks.com/Memories;Facebook.com/WaltDisneyWorld; Facebook.com/Disneyland;Youtube.com/DisneyMemories; or Myspace.com/DisneyParks.
- Describe your memory. Memories can upload as photos, videos or text-only.
- Then all it takes is hitting the “submit” box and, once reviewed, a lifetime Disney memory is stored and shared.
On the heels of a series of television commercials created with brief home video segments, Disney Parks is looking for more “user-generated content” for future TV commercial spots, print advertisements, newsletter articles and vacation-planning video segments relating to “Let the Memories Begin.”
Here are three of the ads for “Let The Memories Begin”:
Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on “Let the Memories Begin”!
WDWNT Reporter Nick Corjay spent Sunday at the Magic Kingdom and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
It’s Halloween at the Magic Kingdom
Read More about Nick Corjay’s 9/19/10 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
Duffy the Disney Bear will debut at Epcot on October 14th with a new meet and greet between the entrance to World Showcase and the Mexico pavilion, right near the Port of Entry shop (otherwise known as Tower East). The Port of Entry shop will be turned into a Duffy-only shop, referred to at today’s passholder event as “Duffy Central”. More Duffy merchandise will be available at the various World Showcase pavilions, matching the country they are available in. Each country in World Showcase will also have small themed area where guests can pose their Duffy plush for a photo. Disney will also be selling different outfits for Duffy for different seasons and special events as they roll around. Duffy will also have his own theme song, Walt Disney World exclusive mug and popcorn bucket, and official Facebook page in the coming weeks. All of the Kidcot fun-stops at Epcot will be changed to a Duffy theme sometime in the near future. Disney Bear pins and Vinylmation will be officially launching in March 2011, yet some Duffy pins will be released at February 2011’s “Love is Magical” event. Duffy will even have his own original cartoon series on Walt Disney World Resort Television. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get closer to the debut of Duffy the Disney Bear October 14th at Epcot.
His success in Tokyo has the U.S. Parks excited with the possibilities
He has no shortage of Mickey icons
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot yesterday to try the new La Cantina De San Angel counter service restaurant and he has a few newsworthy photos and a review to share with us:
What’s this lurking in the shadows?
Read More about Adam Roth’s 9/16/10 Epcot Photo Report (& La Cantina Review)
WDWNT Reporter Cody Smith visited the Magic Kingdom earlier today and grabbed a few photos of work in Fantasyland. Different from usual, there is actually visible progress on the Fantasyland Forest expansion! Let’s take a look:
Installation of the Castle Dreamlights has begun
Read More about Cody Smith’s 9/17/10 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Cody Smith covered the media preview and grand opening of the new Hacienda De San Angel table service restaurant and La Cantina De San Angel counter service restaurant at the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase. Here’s what you can expect from Epcot’s latest eateries:
A view of the restaurants from across the lagoon
Read More about La Hacienda and La Cantina De San Angel Now Open!
WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee visited Epcot on Sunday and has a number of newsworthy photos from the park to share with us in a short report:
Kodak is out of the Imagination! pavilion after 28 years, and Disney is now taking the time to remove any Kodak remnants from Imageworks
The page on DisneyWorld.com for the upcoming Art of Animation Resort has been created and features a new piece of concept art and some more concrete details on Walt Disney World’s newest resort hotel:
Coming soon: a new Walt Disney World Resort! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort hotel, a Disney Value Resort hotel, will draw its inspiration from 4 classic Disney animated films: The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Disney·Pixar’s Finding Nemo and Cars.Booking dates for this family-friendly resort, scheduled to open Summer of 2012, have not been announced yet. Please continue to check back for more information and details.
Step into some of your favorite stories! Each one of the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort buildings are being designed to make you feel like you are part of one of 4 beloved animated films. Trace the movie’s theme, from the playful courtyards to the festive room interiors.
The 864 rooms planned within The Little Mermaid buildings will be sea-inspired with an eye towards value.
The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings are planned to exclusively feature family suites which accommodate up to six guests. The concepts show a total of 1,120 family suites—all arranged for added space and comfort.
The concept for these family suites include:
- 2 separate bathrooms
- A master bedroom
- 3 separate sleeping areas within the living space, which includes an “Inovabed”—an impressive piece of furniture that transforms from a generously sized dining or work table to a comfortable bed in seconds.
Kids and kids at heart will be able to romp through one of the 4 courtyards—one courtyard for each film—where there will be icons and sculptures to interact with and play around. Make a splash in the main pool—complete with a pool bar—or relax in one of the 2 quiet pool areas. Planned amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort include an animation-themed food court, arcade, retail location and interior airline check-in stations.
Location and General Information
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will be a smoke-free Resort; smoking will be permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations.
From the Disney Parks Blog:
Disney/Pixar fans, we’ve got some great news to share today. The entertainment team at Walt Disney World Resort is in the midst of developing a new parade for Disney’s Hollywood Studios featuring some favorite Pixar pals. While details are still being worked out, we do know that four Pixar characters not currently seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Remy and Emile from “Ratatouille” and Carl and Russell from Disney/Pixar’s “Up” – will be added to the lineup.
For those who want to be sure to celebrate the last dance with their favorites from Block Party Bash, make sure to mark January 1 for the final performance. The new show is scheduled to open January 16. Keep your eye on the blog for more future parade updates.
While this announcement says “new parade”, I wouldn’t necessarily buy it. It sounds like it may be a few new floats mixed in with the existing Block Party Bash floats in a more traditional performance without show-stops. A new soundtrack and name are sure to be a part of it. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this breaking story becomes available.
