Toy Story Mania Press Release

WDWNT on March 25, 2008

Even though we released and confirmed most of these details last week, here is a look at a press release from LaughingPlace.com about Toy Story Mania:

Disney Parks guests will don 3-D glasses and enter a wild and wooly 4-D world of Woody the Cowboy and Buzz Lightyear when Toy Story Mania! premieres this summer. The attraction will debut on both coasts: at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and along the Paradise Pier midway in Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland Resort in California. Celebrating the Disney•Pixar classics “Toy Story” and “Toy Story II,” Toy Story Mania! raises the bar for interactive ride-game attractions. It’s a high energy, immersive adventure that makes guests a key part of the action as their game play triggers special effects that provide a fourth dimension of fun. “Toy Story Mania!” engages guests in a whole new way with the delightful characters of the films.

Upon entering the attraction, guests will be welcomed by Mr. Potato Head, more than five feet tall and looking like he stepped right down from the movie screen. The state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics Mr. Potato Head makes a perfect carnival barker for the immersive Toy Story Mania! experience, since he is the first attraction-based Audio-Animatronics figure who can engage guests in a two-way conversation.

Everyone gets a front row seat when guests put on their 3-D glasses, “shrink” to the size of a toy, and board the Toy Story Mania! carnival tram ride vehicles, whose fast travel and spinning add a huge amount of fun to the interactive experience. The exciting and colorful route takes guests through “Andy’s Bedroom” filled with oversized murals and toys. The vehicles spin to face Toy Story Mania! game booths – high-tech yet rooted in classic midway games of skill – and guests aim for 3-D animated targets using their own on-board “spring-action shooters.” Players pair up and sit side-by-side for a friendly competition that delivers an ever-changing variety of targets and surprises. As they play, guests can actually see the “virtual” objects they’ve launched leave their “spring-action shooters” and hit the targets (or not). And thanks to 4-D special effects technology, they may sense objects whirring past them as they pop out of the 3-D scenes.

The Toy Story Mania! games – five of them, plus an introductory practice round – are designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and skills, from beginners to serious gamers. Play is energized by the spirit of the “Toy Story” characters cast in games that best suit their very animated personalities.

First comes the “Pie Throw Practice” round in which guests can try splattering targets with “virtual” pies. Next Hamm the pig hosts a “Hamm & Eggs” booth in which players launch “plastic virtual eggs” at various barnyard targets. “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop” presents a landscape full of balloon sheep, trees and other objects at which guests can launch virtual darts. But players had better be careful! A popped virtual water balloon might add an additional 4-D wet dimension to the game. From there it’s on to “Green Army Men Shoot Camp” where the challenge is to break plates with baseballs. Next up is “Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers,” a ring-toss game hosted by everyone’s favorite space ranger, with Little Green Aliens as the targets. For the grand finale game, Toy Story Mania! players will ride through Wild West scenes launching virtual suction-cup darts at targets in “Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery.” A final “Woody’s Bonus Roundup” encourages guests to fire their “spring-action shooters” as rapidly as possible at one last super-target for extra points. When scores are tallied, players’ skill levels are identified with the reward of an onscreen “virtual plush.”

The game play of Toy Story Mania! is accompanied by ingenious musical variations of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got A Friend in Me,” arranged by veteran music editor Bruno Coon, a frequent Newman collaborator, to compliment the games – for example, a military brass band version for “Green Army Man Shoot Camp.” No matter how many times guests return to ride and play, they can be sure every ride-through will be different.

Shanghai Disneyland

WDWNT on March 23, 2008

SHANGHAI, March, 2008 — US-based Walt Disney Company has decided to build a Disneyland at Chuansha town, Pudong, Shanghai, expected to be announced around the period for the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, according to reliable news. Shanghai mayor Han Zheng once said that the city, having the ability to build a Disneyland, was preparing for the construction and waiting for approval from the State Council, China’s cabinet.

Shanghai Current Economics Research Institute head Wang Liang said that the location of Disney had started to influence the city’s every aspect, such as stock market, real estate, tourism and retail business. For instance, Disney concept stocks, Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co., Ltd. (SHSE: 600663), Shanghai Jielong Industry Group Corporation Limited (SHSE: 600836), Shanghai Pudong Road & Bridge Construction Company Limited (SHSE: 600284) and Shanghai Construction Co., Ltd. (SHSE: 600170) kept rising from middle February when the whole stock market was down.

Moreover, all houses at a building under construction, which nears Disney Shanghai theme park, have been sold out. An insider pointed out that the to-be-built Disneyland, a large tourism project able to accept customers to stay for two nights, would double the Shanghai tourism industry’s current revenue, which was good for China’s domestic tourism in spite of a certain impact on Hong Kong Disneyland.

As early as five years ago, rumors reported that the Walt Disney Company was to build a Disneyland in Shanghai, the nation’s financial hub, with acreage three times that of Disneyland Hong Kong. Until March 9, 2008, an insider told journalists that the Chinese watchdog had in principle agreed the foreign giant to locate the Disneyland in Shanghai. In addition, subways and light rails to the Chuansha town will be available in 2009 and so did the related supporting facilities around.

As a matter of fact, China’s other large cities, like Beijing, Chengdu and Tianjin have also gotten into a fierce struggle in hopes of locating the Disneyland there, which is expected to boost a city’s economy and industry to a new high, said Zhu Lianqing, director at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences research center.

Exciting News Additions Coming to WDW News Today

WDWNT on March 20, 2008

BRONX, NY—Since its inception almost a year ago, WDW News Today has strived to bring news and information about the Walt Disney World Resort to those planning a visit to the Orlando Vacation Kingdom. Over the last eight months, WDWNT has launched the very successful WDW News Today podcast, the WDW News Today Community Forums, The Disney Pincast, and Disneyland News Today, all of which are focused on bringing readers and listeners closer to various aspects of the Walt Disney Company. Continuing our phenomenal expansion and growth, WDW News Today is pleased to announce several exciting new additions and recognitions.

WDW News Today is thrilled to welcome John Corigliano as a permanent addition to our staff. John comes to us from Mousetimes.com, where he was the host of the popular Mousetimes Podcast and Vidcast. In addition to joining Tom Corless as host of the WDWNT Podcast, John will also be providing WDWNT with his entire library of Walt Disney World videos. With the acquisition of John’s collection of almost 300 videos, WDW News Today will become home to the largest collection of Walt Disney World videos on the internet. To revolutionize access to this comprehensive collection, we are introducing a new way to watch these videos called “WDWNTube”. This new service will be similar to the popular video-sharing website “Youtube.”. The addition of John Corigliano to the WDW News Today family ushers in a new generation of entertainment and information for our readers and listeners.

WDW News Today also announces an expanded partnership with our official travel agent, Mouseketrips, “the web’s best source for Disney travel.” As part of this new pact, Mouseketrips now sponsors WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, The WDW News Today Community Forums, The Disney Pincast, and WDWNTube. To enhance our offerings even further, we have added a travel planning section to our community forums. Representatives from Mouseketrips will be available to answer questions and help plan your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disneyland Resort, and the Disney Cruise Line. Through this continued partnership, WDW News Today and Mouseketrips will not only help you plan your trip, but save you money as well.

The WDW News Today family of websites and podcasts always strives to entertain and inform you. From our mentions in the Los Angeles Times to our prominent listings on Itunes, our many achievements would not be possible without our wonderful readers and listeners. We thank them for your continued support as we promise to continue to “Bridge the Gaps Between You and the World”

Toy Story Mania and WDW News Today in the News

WDWNT on March 19, 2008

All of us here at WDW News Today were over-joyed to discover that we were recently mentioned and linked to by the Los Angeles Times pertaining to Toy Story Mania. The article also features the very first review of the attraction, even though it is a review of the California Adventure version rather than the Walt Disney World version that will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May. You can read the LA Times review and check out our link by going HERE.

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.

Disney Security Over-Exposed

WDWNT on March 17, 2008

From the Associted Press:

An off-duty Disney security guard has been released from jail after being charged with indecent exposure in public, battery and child abuse, authorities said. John Briegel, 43, was arrested on Wednesday and released the same day on $6,000 bond, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.

A woman flagged down a Groveland police officer and told him that a neighbor had just hit her 11-year-old son in the face, the newspaper reported. The boy said he was collecting money for his school’s fundraising campaign when he rang Briegel’s doorbell four or five times, the arrest affidavit said. The boy said Briegel answered the door naked, berated him for ringing the doorbell, then struck him on the side of the head with a closed fist.

Briegel admitted answering the door nude and yelling at the boy, but he said he kept his body hidden behind the door and denied hitting the boy, according to the affidavit. Zoraya Suarez, a spokeswoman for Disney, confirmed to the Sentinel that Briegel worked for the theme park’s security department and said that he had been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of his case.

A telephone message left for a Disney spokeswoman by The Associated Press was not immediately returned after hours Friday. There was no telephone number listed for Briegel and it was not immediately known if he had an attorney.

Block Party Bash Review

WDWNT on March 15, 2008

To hear the Orlando Sentinel’s review and see a short video highlighting the new Block Party Bash parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head on over to this link. Even though guest reviews have been mixed, the Sentinel has nothing but good things to say.

Toy Story Mania Preview

WDWNT on March 12, 2008

Here is a video previewing the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, scheduled to open “summer” 2008:

The video features the ride vehicles in motion and gives you a pretty good idea of how the spring action cannons operate. Rumors suggest soft-openings for the attraction should begin by April 2008, with an expected opening sometime near Memorial Day weekend.

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.

Phase One Complete

WDWNT on February 18, 2008

Sara K. Clarke | Jason Garcia and Scott Powers, Orlando Sentinel

The first phase of Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Villas time share is complete. Disney last month wrapped up work on the last of 109 units that have been converted from hotel rooms to time shares on the upper levels of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Construction is continuing on the project’s much-larger second phase: A 340-unit annex next to the lodge that has been dubbed “Kidani Village.” Disney says the expansion will include a 120-seat sit-down restaurant, a 4,700-square-foot swimming pool with a water slide and two spas, plus tennis, shuffleboard and half-court basketball, among other amenities. Disney expects to complete the second phase during the spring of 2009.

The Animal Kingdom Villas are Disney’s eighth time share and the sixth at Disney World. The company is in the midst of building new time shares at Disneyland in Southern California and has announced plans to develop a time share and hotel resort in Hawaii. Construction records also suggest Disney is building a time-share addition to the Contemporary Resort in Orlando, though the company has not confirmed the project.