Disney Executives Show Off New Technologies in Audio-Animatronics

Disney executives from a variety of fields held a panel at the 2017 South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, and discussed how emerging technologies will help the company to innovate and break new ground in storytelling.

Disney Imagineering R&D executive Jon Snoddy, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media senior vice president Mike White, and Disney Interactive vice president of Engineering Kathy de Paolo led the panel in talks about how both artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the way future Audio-Animatronics are being implemented.

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During the panel, attendees got to see Audio-Animatronic versions of Jake (a droid once featured at Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland) and a pocket-sized Pascal (the chameleon sidekick from Tangled). Both were used to show how Disney is looking for new ways to bring characters to life in more natural ways. As White put it, “We are constantly evaluating emerging technologies, and we use the ones that make our products and experiences better.” He went on to stress the importance of emerging technologies, “Disney is committed to technology that enhances our stories. It’s not merely a science project.”

Snoddy reinforced Disney’s desire to inspire and move guests by always daring to delve deeper into the world’s most advanced technologies:

“Every new technology that has come along for the past 60 years has been adopted into a storytelling medium. It won’t be different now. [Guests] really come to be moved emotionally, and that will not change.”

Source: TheWaltDisneyCompany.com

Cars 3 Tour Makes Pit Stop at Disney Springs This Weekend

The third installment of the popular “Cars” film franchise is set to arrive in theatres on June 16th in 3D, but fans can get an early glimpse of the story, which stars longtime favorite Lightning McQueen alongside new characters Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm, when the “Road to the Races” nationwide tour kicks off March 23-26, 2017 at Disney Springs Marketplace.

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Expect fun activities for the whole family, plus an extended “sneak peek” of the film when the tour rolls into town. Photo opportunities with three life-size character cars will also be a part of the event.

Alamo Rent A Car will sponsor a giant color mural; Coppertone will encourage guests to take part in a racer pit crew tire-changing activity and a fun photo opportunity; Crest and Oral-B will pass out prizes from the Piston Cup prize wheel and will offer fans the chance to create a digital postcard with Lightning McQueen; at the Dole Refueling Station, you can sample high-octane smoothies; Mattel plans to present an interactive play area; and last, but not least, NASCAR will be on hand to share the history and science behind their iconic brand.

During your visit, keep an eye out for “Cars” merchandise and special menu items at select food and beverage locations, plus a DJ dance party with tracks that will make you want to rev up your engine.

The tour, located at Disney Springs in the former Marketplace Bus Loop near Disney’s Days of Christmas store, opens to the public on Thursday, March 23 at 12:00 p.m. and will run until 7:00 p.m. that evening. On Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, join the fun from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. And on the final day, Sunday, March 26, guests can enjoy the experience from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

REVIEW: Classic Dole Whip Adds Chili-Lime Seasoning for Spicy Kick at Disneyland Park

The roof of the Dole Whip stand at Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland Park

The roof of the Dole Whip stand at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland Park

Messing around with the legendary Dole Whip at Disneyland Park may sound a little sacrilegious, but sometimes it’s good to update the classics. Just look at many of the wonderful updates made to Disney attractions over the years, enhancing the ride or show while keeping the original flavor. While you may want to stick to the standard treat (or maybe even get some Dole Whip flavored Cotton Candy over at Disney California Adventure), those who are a little more adventurous might seek to enhance the Dole Whip with a new seasoning that is being offered…

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

Disneyland already offered this Tajin seasoning at locations with fruit dishes, but it is now also behind the counter at the Dole Whip stand outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room.

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

The classic Tajin seasoning is not listed on the menu, but an individual packet is available upon request when you purchase a Dole Whip (at top added charge). Typically used as a fruit and veggie booster, the seasoning may seem to be a little strange for a frozen treat, but there’s a good reason it is being offered. The official description of the seasoning:

An Authentic Mexican condiment with a angy lime and chile pepper kick, offering a mild heat. Ideal for seasoning fresh Citrus fruit snacks.

So, I took my snack and my seasoning packet into Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and did the deed…

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

Would my pictures have turned out better in the sunlight? Sure. But c’mon, it’s the Tiki Room at Disneyland!

If you read the dining reviews on this site regularly, you know just how much I love spicy items, and that I can take or leave a Dole Whip. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Dole Whip, I just probably only get it like once or twice a year despite visiting Disney Parks 5-6 times a week. That being said, this combination was awesome. I enjoyed the Dole Whip with Tajin much more than without, and I think you should give it a try the next time you procure one if you are a fan of the Disneyland delicacy. Don’t worry, it isn’t overly spicy. As the description implies, it is a mild heat. The lime flavoring is also a nice touch to the existing pineapple flavor, in addition to the spice it offers.

Tajin does also offer spicier seasonings on the market, and I’d love to see a variety at the parks so I can have a really spicy Dole Whip, but this will suffice for now. I told you, I really like spicy food.

If you are one of those people who makes Dole Whip at home, you can also easily find the seasoning in your local supermarket, or even online on Amazon. The large bottle is more economical for home use, but if you want to try Tajin at Walt Disney World (which has not started offering the seasoning yet, and may never), buying the box of packets will be more convenient.

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Egg Hunt Returning to Disneyland Resort April 1st

Springtime will be hopping its way to the Disneyland Resort in just 2 weeks. Beginning April 1st, the Eggstravaganza will be returning to the Disneyland Resort for its 5th year.

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To participate, pick up a map and stickers for $5.99 (plus tax) at select merchandise locations throughout Disneyland Resort. The Eggstravaganza is a scavenger hunt where you will search for special hidden “eggs” themed to Disney and Pixar characters. You will then record your discoveries by placing the corresponding sticker on the themed Egg-stravaganza map to represent that location.

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Once finished you can redeem the map for a special prize. Redemption locations include the following merchandise shops: Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park; Disney Showcase in Disneyland park; World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District.

Purchasing limits will apply, while supplies last. Please note that no discounts apply and separate admission is required to enter Disney theme parks. The experience is subject to restrictions and may change without notice. The Eggstravaganza at the Disneyland Resort will last from April 1st-April 16th.

D23 Expo Japan Announced for 2018

The D23 Expo Japan 2018 returns to Tokyo Disney Resort starting February 10-12, 2018. Not many details are known at this time, but more information will be made available in Summer 2017 (also that’s when the tickets will go on sale). You can check the official website (Japanese only) and the D23 website.

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This fan event is held at various locations and hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort (including the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, and the Maihama Amphitheater).

The event was held back in November 2015 and was a huge success.

For more on Tokyo Disney Resort (also Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland), make sure to visit TDRExplorer.com.

VIDEO: Disney Imagineers Show How They Made Pandora – The World of AVATAR Feel Like a Real Place

When Pandora – The World of Avatar opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this May, guests will be able to explore a brand-new world unlike they’ve ever experienced before.

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In the film AVATAR, the planet of Pandora featured an ecosystem all its own, with lush bioluminescent flora, precious fauna, and a culture of people who saw and respected the value of their precious planet. In order to create this new land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the project team approached bringing Pandora to life as if they were building a real world – unlike one anyone had experienced before – based on the world in the film.

Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this video, in which we learn how Imagineers and Animal Programs worked together to create a uniquely interactive ecosystem exclusively for Pandora – The World of Avatar. The park’s Animal Programs department, which includes conservation biologists and scientists, lent their expertise in order to help the land seem as authentically real as possible

“We’ve had this group sit down and try to understand what would Pandora really look like? How would it feel? What sounds would you hear if you were taking a nature trail along Pandora,” said Dr. Mark Penning Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks.

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BREAKING: Annual Passholder Previews Begin Soon for Pandora – The World of AVATAR, Dates Revealed

Walt Disney World annual passholders will be getting a first-look at Pandora: The World of AVATAR with exclusive previews of the land scheduled to happen in just-a-little-over two weeks time.

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Floating mountains grace the skyline while exotic plants fill the colorful landscape inside Pandora – The World of Avatar, which opens May 27, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pandora – The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Online registration should open very soon for annual passholders to sign up for one of two preview dates for Pandora: The World of AVATAR, April 8th or 9th, 2017. It is possible that more preview dates will be scheduled later, but these appear to be the first two, at least.

Rumor has it that there will be some restriction on “technology use” for guests who partake in the preview, perhaps a ban on photography and video recording, but we will have to wait and see exactly what that means. Again, this preview would be over a month and a half before the official opening of the land to guests.

As the project is still being finished up, these dates can still change, but it seems the previews will take place before the month of April 2017 is over, at the latest.

Lightning McQueen And Crew Will Be Rolling Into A City Near You To Promote “Cars 3”

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DISNEY·PIXAR’S “CARS 3” FUELS UP FOR NATIONWIDE TOUR

Road to the Races Takes Off March 23, 2017

Title Sponsors Include Alamo Rent A Car SM, Coppertone®,

Crest®/Oral-B®, DOLE® and Mattel

Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” is hitting the road this month with Road to the Races, a nationwide tour inviting fans of #95 to gear up for the upcoming big-screen release. Life-size, character look-alikes of five-time Piston-Cup champion Lightning McQueen, tech-savvy trainer Cruz Ramirez and the sleek next-gen racer Jackson Storm will be rolling into 27 cities coast to coast to celebrate the new movie, which opens June 16, 2017.

“We are going to kick off the tour at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World on Thursday, March 23,” said Lylle Breier, senior vice president, worldwide marketing partnerships and special events for the Walt Disney Studios. “There will be fun activities for the whole family—plus a sneak peek of the movie.”

The roster of cities includes Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles, among others—the full list is available at CARS3tour.com. The “Road to the Races” nationwide tour wraps up in California with a visit to NASCAR at Sonoma at the Sonoma Raceway June 24-25, 2017, and the life-size character cars will also roll onto the red carpet for the “Cars 3” world premiere on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

A host of sponsors have signed on to support the tour, which includes a variety of activities.

  • Alamo Rent A CarSM is hosting a street art booth and will bring “Cars 3” to life with a giant coloring mural featuring Lightning McQueen and friends, along with a color pencil pack souvenir.  Owned and operated by Enterprise Holdings, Alamo Rent A Car offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinations around the world.
  • Coppertone® is creating a racer pit crew that encourages visitors to take part in a tire-changing activity and photo-sharing opportunity. A leader in the sun care industry, Coppertone is made by Bayer HealthCare, LLC.
  • Crest® and Oral-B® celebrate the Road to the Races tour, providing fans with an opportunity to create a digital postcard with Lightning McQueen and get “Cars”-themed oral care products. Crest and Oral-B are the first step to enjoying a lifetime of healthy smiles.
  • Dole®, the leader in fresh, quality produce, invites visitors to fuel up and recharge their batteries, sample high-octane fruit and vegetable smoothies, collect “Cars 3”-inspired recipes and discover how Dole and Disney are working together to make healthy living fun and easy for families. To see more of Dole’s exciting promotions around summer family fun, visit www.dole.com/Cars3.
  • Mattel presents an interactive play area, which sends Lightning McQueen and other racers down the gravity drop and launches them into action in new play sets that feature locations from the movie. Also on display will be a collection of die cast racers from past and present. Mattel is the leading global childhood development and play company.

Fans will be able to catch a sneak peek of the movie in the Cinetransformer Mobile Movie Theater. Visitors will also be able to take photos with the life-size character cars.

In addition, the sports national youth program NASCAR Acceleration Nation will display the science behind NASCAR racing, and elements from the NASCAR Hall of Fame will allow attendees to get up close and personal with the history of NASCAR.

Mack Trucks, Inc. will transport the life-size character cars on the coast-to-coast tour.

Disney Fans Upset With Changes Made To The Live Action “Mulan” Movie; No Songs, No Li Shang

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Say it isn’t so! The director of the upcoming live action “Mulan” movie says there will be no songs from the original Disney animated film. Not only that, but he cut the role of Captain Li Shang, Mulan’s love interest, in his version of the film.

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The following casting call shows a new character will be replacing Li Shang:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgWiMm_Nffc

Director Niki Caro also revealed the following while speaking to MovieFone:

Moviefone: So I was talking to Sean Bailey and he was telling me about your approach to “Mulan.” It sounds great!

Niki Caro: What did he say?

He said that it’s going to be very muscular and a Ridley Scott approach. But I wanted to hear from you what your approach is going to be.

Well I’m not going to contradict Sean. His sensibility and mine for the material is right in sync. It’s a big, girly martial arts epic. It will be extremely muscular and thrilling and entertaining and moving.

That sounds awesome.

Yeah!

But from what I understand, no songs?

Yes, from what I understand, no songs right now, much to the horror of my children.

I’ve heard that the deleted scene where the Huns sneak in via a Chinese dragon is going to be in this movie. Is that true?

I could not possibly comment upon that.

So there you have it: “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is out, but all sorts of thrilling awesomeness is in.

Needless to say, Disney fans did not take this well:

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So what do you think? Do you think this is a good idea or not? Will this effect with or not you will see the live action “Mulan”?

You still have time to think about it. “Mulan” still does not have an official release date but filming will start soon and it is set to release sometime in Winter of 2018.

Source: MovieFone; Perez Hilton; Disney Movies Anywhere

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (3/22/17) – March Madness Begins, March Tragic T-Shirts, Disneyland Fun, & More!

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we begin the pick our next offensive t-shirt, we talk about all of the fun happening right now at the Disneyland Resort, and March Madness 2017 begins!

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents and announcer Michelle Wargo.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • A discussion of what we did and saw at the Disneyland Resort last week
  • March Tragic begins as we try to pick our next somewhat offensive WDWNT.com t-shirt
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: March Madness 2017″, presented by Theme Park Connection, a battle of 64 Walt Disney World table service restaurants
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed our last show, be sure to watch it:

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