19.3.10
Get Ready to Dance!
Here's a jazzy video of the new look for the Epcot monorails. See previous post for the concept art.
Fess Parker Remembered
Yesterday, Fess Parker (85), childhood hero to many, passed away. Fess Parker was very well known for his role as Davy Crockett in the Disney television show. He also acted as Daniel Boone for Disney as well.
The LA Times wrote an article about Fess Parker. Read it here.
Today is Foto Friday, and so here is my tribute to Fess Parker.
Image from the Tennessee State Library and Archives
Image from the Disney Parks Blog
Image from CraigHodgkins.wordpress.com
The LA Times wrote an article about Fess Parker. Read it here.
Today is Foto Friday, and so here is my tribute to Fess Parker.
Image from the Tennessee State Library and Archives
Image from the Disney Parks Blog
Image from CraigHodgkins.wordpress.com
17.3.10
Childhood Dream Come True
The Disney Parks Blog posted a very cute article I'd like to share with you.
Fifty-five years ago, Rob Fischie was a little boy running through the gates of Disneyland on opening day. Today, Rob is a security guard in the Happiest Place on Earth.
Read the article HERE, on Disney Parks Blog!
Fifty-five years ago, Rob Fischie was a little boy running through the gates of Disneyland on opening day. Today, Rob is a security guard in the Happiest Place on Earth.
Read the article HERE, on Disney Parks Blog!
An Update on 'Guilty Pary'
I recently wrote about a video game coming to the Wii system called "Disney's Guilty Party". Kotaku.com, a popular gaming blog, has posted an article about some of the gameplay. Their writers had the opportunity to play a bit of it.
Read the article HERE on Kotaku.com!
One of the particularly interesting parts, to me, was the way you can hide your clues from other players in the room. Obviously you are all looking at the same television when you play. This would make hiding the information the suspects give you difficult. 'Guilty Party' solved this by using a lie detector! When a player finished interrogating a suspect, they hover over the suspect with the lie detector. However, the player can press a button on their Wii-mote while they do this and it will display the opposite result (truth of lies)! Other players in the room who see the result won't know if you pressed the button and therefore cannot be sure that the suspect's information is valid. Clever, isn't it?
Read the article HERE on Kotaku.com!
One of the particularly interesting parts, to me, was the way you can hide your clues from other players in the room. Obviously you are all looking at the same television when you play. This would make hiding the information the suspects give you difficult. 'Guilty Party' solved this by using a lie detector! When a player finished interrogating a suspect, they hover over the suspect with the lie detector. However, the player can press a button on their Wii-mote while they do this and it will display the opposite result (truth of lies)! Other players in the room who see the result won't know if you pressed the button and therefore cannot be sure that the suspect's information is valid. Clever, isn't it?
14.3.10
The Next D23 Expo
The dates for the next D23 Expo were announced on March 10th on the D23 website!
August 19th-21st 2011
Tickets for the Expo will go on sale one year in advance: August 19, 2010. If you missed it last year (and I very unfortunately did) then make sure you get to go in 2011! The panels and guests were incredible for the first Expo and I only expect it to get better and better!
August 19th-21st 2011
Tickets for the Expo will go on sale one year in advance: August 19, 2010. If you missed it last year (and I very unfortunately did) then make sure you get to go in 2011! The panels and guests were incredible for the first Expo and I only expect it to get better and better!
12.3.10
Foto Friday
I've decided to dedicate Fridays to photography, as I have dedicated Saturdays to cartoons. So, here are some fantastic photos from around the web of Disney World, Disneyland, and other Disney related things! Enjoy!
"Sometimes It's In The Details"
Image by Garth Vaughn, posted on The Disney Blog
"Walt holding a model of the Jungle Cruise boats"
Posted from vintagedisneyparks.tumblr.com
"One Wild Ride"
Posted from F---yeahWDW.tumblr.com
"Epcot 1988 Spaceship Earth"
Posted from Flickr.com
My favorite park in the year that I was born!
"Sometimes It's In The Details"
Image by Garth Vaughn, posted on The Disney Blog
"Walt holding a model of the Jungle Cruise boats"
Posted from vintagedisneyparks.tumblr.com
"One Wild Ride"
Posted from F---yeahWDW.tumblr.com
"Epcot 1988 Spaceship Earth"
Posted from Flickr.com
My favorite park in the year that I was born!
"One Word, 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!'"
The Sherman Brothers were honored in Disneyland yesterday when Mickey Mouse unveiled a window dedicated to them and their work. The window is on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom and reads, "Two Brothers Tunemakers" with their names underneath.
The Sherman Brothers have worked on many Disney classics including "Mary Poppins", "The Jungle Book", "The Aristocats", "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", and "Winnie the Pooh". They are also the creators of the song, "It's a Small World (After All)".
Disney Parks Blog
The Sherman Brothers have worked on many Disney classics including "Mary Poppins", "The Jungle Book", "The Aristocats", "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", and "Winnie the Pooh". They are also the creators of the song, "It's a Small World (After All)".
Disney Parks Blog
11.3.10
TRON comes to EPCOT
These are the new monorail designs to promote the new TRON: Legacy movie in the Disney Parks, specifically EPCOT. Both feature the light cycles and are pretty slick, if you ask me!
Both images from The Disney Parks Blog.
New Tron Trailer!
I tried uploading this to Blogger from my computer two days ago, but it never finished processing it. So, I had to settle for this version on YouTube.
Enjoy:
Enjoy:
'Give a Day Get a Disney Day' Reaches Goal
The 'Give a Day Get a Disney Day' Promotion from Disney Parks has reached it's 1 million volunteer goal!
Since January 1st, Disney Parks has been inspiring people to go out into their communities and lend a hand to those in need. For the people who gave their day, a free day in the Disney Parks was given! The goal was for 1 million people to volunteer their time and as of March 9th, 2010, the goal has been met!
If you are still looking to give back to your community, the HandsOn Network has many listings of events needing volunteers! Giving back feels amazing! Get out there and create smiles!
Since January 1st, Disney Parks has been inspiring people to go out into their communities and lend a hand to those in need. For the people who gave their day, a free day in the Disney Parks was given! The goal was for 1 million people to volunteer their time and as of March 9th, 2010, the goal has been met!
If you are still looking to give back to your community, the HandsOn Network has many listings of events needing volunteers! Giving back feels amazing! Get out there and create smiles!
5.3.10
Fantasyland Expansion UPDATE!
Image from Disney Parks Blog
Walt Disney World has officially broken ground on the Fantasyland Expansion!
The Disney Parks Blog has this photo and one other that you can see HERE of the 1/4 size model of the new Fantasyland Expansion! In
I am so excited! I can't wait for the Beauty and the Beast section, which I realize I never posted images of.
Enjoy:
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Gaston's TavernStar Wars Weekends 2010
This May, Disney 's Hollywood Studios is celebrating it's annual Star Wars Weekends!
This year, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary! Show director for Walt Disney Entertainment, Mark Renfrow has been working on Star Wars Weekends for 10 years and he is planning to incorporate some behind-the-scenes events to coincide with the anniversary.
Also during Star Wars Weekends there will be an addition to the Jedi Training Academy as Darth Maul will be joining Darth Vader to help train the young Padawans. Guests can also meet Star Wars actors as well as various Star Wars characters around the park including R2-D2 and C-3PO!
I love Star Wars weekends, especially seeing the Storm Troopers on top of the entrance to the park. I also enjoyed seeing some of the stars like Matthew Wood, the voice of General Grievous and Jake Lloyd who played little Anakin Skywalker. If you get the opportunity to go to Disney World during this event, I highly recommend it!
Star Wars Weekends take place on the following dates:
May 21–23, May 28–30, June 4–6, and June 11–13, 2010
For more about Star Wars Weekends, visit the official page HERE!
This year, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary! Show director for Walt Disney Entertainment, Mark Renfrow has been working on Star Wars Weekends for 10 years and he is planning to incorporate some behind-the-scenes events to coincide with the anniversary.
Also during Star Wars Weekends there will be an addition to the Jedi Training Academy as Darth Maul will be joining Darth Vader to help train the young Padawans. Guests can also meet Star Wars actors as well as various Star Wars characters around the park including R2-D2 and C-3PO!
I love Star Wars weekends, especially seeing the Storm Troopers on top of the entrance to the park. I also enjoyed seeing some of the stars like Matthew Wood, the voice of General Grievous and Jake Lloyd who played little Anakin Skywalker. If you get the opportunity to go to Disney World during this event, I highly recommend it!
Star Wars Weekends take place on the following dates:
May 21–23, May 28–30, June 4–6, and June 11–13, 2010
For more about Star Wars Weekends, visit the official page HERE!
3.3.10
D Street
Image from Disney Parks Blog
Disney World's Downtown Disney district is getting a hip new store! This urbanized store, D Street, will offer a variety of products for both men and women. Items not only include clothing and accessories, but Vinylmation figures as well as locally made Disney art!
Silly Symphony Swings Gets a Top
This video from the Disney Parks Blog shows construction workers adding a top to Silly Symphony Swings, a new ride coming to Disney's California Adventure park. The swing-ride is themed to Walt Disney's classic animated short, "The Band Concert".
If you haven't watched the cartoon, I don't want to tell you what happens! Perhaps I'll post it in Saturday's "Morning Cartoon" post!
1.3.10
Endangered Gorilla Born at Animal Kingdom
Image from Disney Parks Blog
It's so tiny!
The newborn is doing well and it's mother is keeping it close. I say "it's" because the mother has been keeping it so close, the animal keepers have not been able to determine the baby's gender!
Adorable!
EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2010
Image from The Disney Blog
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is an event held every spring to showcase the beauty of flowers and gardening in Disney fashion. This year it will begin March 3rd and run until the 16th.
My favorite part of the festival is seeing all of the Disney-themed topiaries. I always wonder about the work that goes in to creating a Disney character out of flowers and greenery.
Also during the festival is the Flower Power Concert series! The series features live bands playing music from the 1960's and the 1970's at the American Adventure Pavillion!
For more about the festival and a download of the schedule, here's the official Flower and Garden Festival website!
27.2.10
Saturday Morning Cartoons!
"Boat Builders"
This particular cartoon premiered this week in 1938. It features Walt Disney as the voice of Mickey!
Enjoy~
This particular cartoon premiered this week in 1938. It features Walt Disney as the voice of Mickey!
Enjoy~
25.2.10
For All You Lucky D23 Members...
First of all, I'm extremely jealous.
Secondly, I'm jealous.
And now onto what I am supposed to be writing!
On March 4th 2010 at 2pm PST you can chat live with Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter!
Tony Baxter has been an Imagineer for about 40 years! His work includes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, The Indiana Jones Adventure and (on top of all that) he's the overall creative role for Disneyland Paris. He's currently a senior vice president of Creative Development and the creative director of Disneyland Park!
Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Read more about Tony Baxter at the Official D23 Website HERE!
Also, for more about becoming a D23 member, HERE is the link! Note: there are two kinds of memberships. I was unaware of the Silver one until just now. It's only $34.99!
Secondly, I'm jealous.
And now onto what I am supposed to be writing!
On March 4th 2010 at 2pm PST you can chat live with Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter!
Tony Baxter has been an Imagineer for about 40 years! His work includes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, The Indiana Jones Adventure and (on top of all that) he's the overall creative role for Disneyland Paris. He's currently a senior vice president of Creative Development and the creative director of Disneyland Park!
Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Read more about Tony Baxter at the Official D23 Website HERE!
Also, for more about becoming a D23 member, HERE is the link! Note: there are two kinds of memberships. I was unaware of the Silver one until just now. It's only $34.99!
Captain EO Dances Back Onto The Screen!
Somehow I failed to mention the return of CAPTAIN EO!
On the morning of February 23, 2010 fans were lined up for the reopening of Captain EO, a 3D adventure starring Michael Jackson. This was a classic ride in the eighties that lasted until 1997. I've watched the film, unfortunately I did not see it in the park, although I was there in January of 1996, so I have no idea why I DIDN'T go see it...hmm.
It's a really awesome show that proves that Michael Jackson can save an entire planet with the power of dance.
Imagination Park?
While perusing the Disney Store website, I noticed a large link on the "Find A Store Near You" page that has probably been there for some time, but I never thought to click it. It reads, "Read About Our New Look! Click Here!" Clicking it brings you to a two page article from the New York Times!
I learned many things I didn't know before, including the fact that Steve Jobs (of Apple) is affiliated with Disney and has been since Disney acquired Pixar in 2006.
The reason that's mentioned in this article is because Disney is planning on overhauling all of their Disney Stores and Steve Jobs' knowledge of mall stores is key. Apple's retail stores are interactive and modern which is what Disney is aspiring to recreate their stores into. To get an idea of what Disney wants, they are considering renaming all Disney Stores to "Imagination Parks".
One chilling thing about this whole idea was a quote from Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products, “We will essentially be the only toy retailer left at the mall because everybody else has evaporated.” I found that to be somewhat scary.
In my opinion, recreating 340 Disney Stores, in the United States alone, into fantastical mini-parks seems like a bit of a stretch, even for Disney. I'm not saying they don't have the money or the resources to make these Imagination Parks, that's not it at all! I'm more concerned about the owners and landlords of the malls and whether or not these buildings can handle such a dramatic and expensive change. I know the Disney Store closest to me is small and old. I'm not sure they could fit a sectioned off interactive theater and all of their other little sections into such a small room.
Best of luck to them anyway! It will truly be an experience to go to the new stores if it all goes through!
I highly suggest reading the whole article on the New York Times website. It's going to be quite a huge change for the chain of stores if/when they start their overhaul.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE!
I learned many things I didn't know before, including the fact that Steve Jobs (of Apple) is affiliated with Disney and has been since Disney acquired Pixar in 2006.
The reason that's mentioned in this article is because Disney is planning on overhauling all of their Disney Stores and Steve Jobs' knowledge of mall stores is key. Apple's retail stores are interactive and modern which is what Disney is aspiring to recreate their stores into. To get an idea of what Disney wants, they are considering renaming all Disney Stores to "Imagination Parks".
One chilling thing about this whole idea was a quote from Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products, “We will essentially be the only toy retailer left at the mall because everybody else has evaporated.” I found that to be somewhat scary.
In my opinion, recreating 340 Disney Stores, in the United States alone, into fantastical mini-parks seems like a bit of a stretch, even for Disney. I'm not saying they don't have the money or the resources to make these Imagination Parks, that's not it at all! I'm more concerned about the owners and landlords of the malls and whether or not these buildings can handle such a dramatic and expensive change. I know the Disney Store closest to me is small and old. I'm not sure they could fit a sectioned off interactive theater and all of their other little sections into such a small room.
Best of luck to them anyway! It will truly be an experience to go to the new stores if it all goes through!
I highly suggest reading the whole article on the New York Times website. It's going to be quite a huge change for the chain of stores if/when they start their overhaul.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE!
"Guilty Party"
Image from Kotaku.com24.2.10
Stuffed with Fluff He's...
WINNIE THE POOH, of course!
Image from Walt Disney Animation Studio's Facebook
A new Winnie the Pooh theatrical release is in the works. The best part? It's going to be hand-drawn! Just like old times!
No word just yet on a title or what it's about, but it sounds exciting already!
Image from Walt Disney Animation Studio's Facebook
A new Winnie the Pooh theatrical release is in the works. The best part? It's going to be hand-drawn! Just like old times!
No word just yet on a title or what it's about, but it sounds exciting already!
"Rapunzel" -er... "Tangled"
I noticed today, on my daily perusal through Disney-related websites, that Rapunzel has been removed from the Walt Disney Animation Studios website. I ALSO noticed that on the Walt Disney Animation Studios Facebook that in a caption to new art from the movie, the movie was called "Tangled".
Not sure why the name changed, haven't heard or read anything official...or unofficial for that matter!
Here's the new image, I enjoy it greatly:
Click the image to go to the Walt Disney Animation Studio Facebook and read the caption for this picture written by Roy Conli, the producer of "Disney's next animated film". Perhaps it was between names when he wrote that?
Not sure why the name changed, haven't heard or read anything official...or unofficial for that matter!
Here's the new image, I enjoy it greatly:
Click the image to go to the Walt Disney Animation Studio Facebook and read the caption for this picture written by Roy Conli, the producer of "Disney's next animated film". Perhaps it was between names when he wrote that?
Give a Day! Get a Disney Day!
I'm really excited about the new Disney Parks promotion "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day!" On their blog today they posted a cute stop-motion video featuring some cast members and some Disney Characters!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Epic Mickey Update
Gaming blog Kotaku recently wrote a piece about Disney's Epic Mickey game. In it, they expressed that Kingdom Hearts was to thank for the creation of Epic Mickey because prior to Kingdom Hearts, Disney characters were not seen in video games with a young-teen-to-adult target. I agree with this. However I do not agree with this:
Image from Kotaku.com
Why does that screen shot in NO WAY remind me of this:
I'm staring to lose my excitement for this game. I wish Disney would keep pushing, like they did with Kingdom Hearts, to make a game nobody was expecting. Something like the concept art for Epic Mickey would be great.
Image from Kotaku.com
Why does that screen shot in NO WAY remind me of this:
I'm staring to lose my excitement for this game. I wish Disney would keep pushing, like they did with Kingdom Hearts, to make a game nobody was expecting. Something like the concept art for Epic Mickey would be great.
Haven't Been Posting
Hello!
I know I haven't posted anything, that's because Disney Parks created their own blog and I found mine to be rather useless. However, I'd like to start reposting and putting in a little more of my opinion on things rather than just writing events down sequentially as I did in the past.
So, hopefully I stick to my word this time and actually post things! :D
I know I haven't posted anything, that's because Disney Parks created their own blog and I found mine to be rather useless. However, I'd like to start reposting and putting in a little more of my opinion on things rather than just writing events down sequentially as I did in the past.
So, hopefully I stick to my word this time and actually post things! :D
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