Disney

Model of the new Fantasyland

Disneybrit.com

If you are to visit the One Man’s Dream exhibition you will notice one very large change. As of the 16th May, the large model of new Fantasyland (seen at the press Summer to Remember event and at the D23 Expo 2011) will be available for guests to get up close to for the first time in Orlando. Take a look at the images below released by Disney of the installation of the new model

Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

From the Disney Parks Blog

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the new Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure, including showcasing some new renderings of the experience we debuted at the Summer to Remember press event in April.

Starting in late June, Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is based on the wily secret-agent alter-ego of Perry the Platypus – faithful pet to the title characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas & Ferb.” Although just a simple pet to Phineas and Ferb, Perry turns into Agent P in each episode to help stop the misguided plans of his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Epcot guests will transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents will use a high tech detection device called a “F.O.N.E.” or Field Operative Notification Equipment to receive clues for each case. Solving the clues will take agents to different places throughout seven World Showcase countries at Epcot – Mexico Pavilion, France Pavilion, Germany Pavilion, Norway Pavilion, Japan Pavilion, China Pavilion and the United Kingdom Pavilion. Agents will scour each country for clues, evil “Inators,” and – with a little bit of luck – help Agent P defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

The current Disney Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will close this Friday, May 18.

20 years of marathons

On the weekend of January 10th-13th 2013, the Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate 20 years of marathon running at the resort with a new look course, new entertainments and a raft of event designed to be seen at mile 20. The 26.2 mile course will also include a special medal and a new post race party in Downtown Disney. Take a look at the video Disney released to explain it all.

Festivities Open Tutto Italia, Tutto Gusto at Italy Pavilion at Epcot

With a flourish of confetti, Italian music, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Tutto Italia in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot reopens its doors this week after a major renovation, along with the new Tutto Gusto wine cellar next door.

The restaurant staff added to the celebration with tambourines, while Chef Joachim Splichal, founder of Patina Restaurant Group; Erin Youngs, vice president of Epcot; and Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group, did the honors of cutting the ribbon to officially open the two venues, operated by Patina. Guests were welcomed inside for sparkling water, a little bubbly and a first look at Tutto Gusto.

Merida Test Meet & Greets in Epcot

Courtesy of DisneyBrit

Whilst she is waiting for her new home to be prepared in the Magic Kingdom, Merida (From the upcoming film Brave) has started to make unscheduled appearances in Epcot. It is Pixar’s first ‘face’ character in the Disney Parks and I must say she looks stunning! I am particularly impressed by the gorgeous shock of red hair she is sporting!

Here is a video of Merida taken by Jeff Lange of JeffLangeDVD.com and Denise Preskitt of MouseSteps.com

Whilst her mannerisms are wonderfully animated, they need to work on her accent so when she interacts with guests she seems more comfortable at the moment she is is slipping into a weird space between Scottish, Irish & American. But that all said I can’t wait to see her later this year!

FASTPASS The Next Generation

Courtesy of Disneybrit

Over the last couple of days a number of little blue posts boasting the Mickey symbol have appeared outside the major attractions in the Magic Kingdom. The long rumoured RFID FASTPASS is now in test for the next 2 weeks, there is no way to sign up but guests are selected and provided with a plastic FASTPASS card and an itinerary for their selected attraction.

Twitter user @TOCPE82 posted this up yesterday:

Thursday, May 3, 2012
12:25pm to 1:25pm, Splash Mountain, Frontierland
1:55pm to 2:55pm, Jungle Cruise, Adventureland
3:30pm to 4:30pm, Peter Pan’s Flight, Fantasyland
5:15pm to 6:15pm, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Tomorrowland

Other attractions included in the testing are Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain & Mickey’s Philharmagic. Cast members at each of the attraction RFID post have been equipped with iPads to monitor the technology and the data.

Guests are asked to select their entire FASTPASS itinerary before they arrive at the park, which points to the long rumoured ability for Walt Disney Hotel guests to select their next day’s itinerary from the comfort of their hotel room. This is only going to last 2 weeks and much like the EPCOT entrance testing using RFID it will magically disappear overnight whilst the system is analyised for future roll out.

Phase one of the move to this new technology was implemented some time ago where the rules became stricter on return times of the ticket because unlike a cast member the RFID will refuse entry if… Continue reading →

Test Track Concept Art Review

by Nick LoCicero

A reimagined Test Track will open at EPCOT this fall. The high speed attraction, which originally opened in 1999, pulled into the pits a couple weeks ago and is currently closed to guests while undergoing its first major overhaul. While the thrilling ending will still feature an outside race around the track, the insides will change and the overall experience will become very interactive.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, “When complete, the reimagining of this attraction will allow guests to design their own custom concept vehicle, and then put it through its paces on the exhilarating hills and switchbacks of the Test Track circuit. In the post-show, guests can make a TV commercial featuring their concept car or truck, race their car or truck on our virtual track and take a picture with their custom concept vehicle.”

Now, instead of being “test track dummies”, the guest is an integral designer, using his or her imagination then getting to “play” with the creation. To me, this is more along the lines of what Walt wold have dreamed.

This idea seems extremely enjoyable… as this particular annual passholder queues up for Test Track very infrequently these days. While the queue itself and ambient soundtrack are top notch, I’ve never understood the fun of the inside tests. While the re-ridabilty should improve with these changes, the visuals look phenomenal as well.

Almost a TRONesque feel to this concept art, which gives the decade old attraction a fresh, new, digital… Continue reading →

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series 2012

Summer just isn’t summer without great tunes. And summer nights mean sizzling entertainment at Epcot Theme Park! During the annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, enjoy high-energy performances from some of the world’s greatest tribute bands.

Get the family together and get into the groove with the songs you all know and love. Dance to classic hits and have a toe-tappin’ good time under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. Times are 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15 pm.

This years line up is

June 10-17 – Hotel California – Eagles tribute band
June 18-23 – Mike Delguidice & Big Shot – A Billy Joel tribute band
June 24-30 – Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees tribute band
July 1-7 – Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi tribute band
July 8-17 – Police Experience – The Police tribute band
July 18-21 – Southbound and Company – Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band
July 22-28 – 2U – U2 tribute band

Disney Announces Star Wars Weekends Line Up

It is that time of year again where we look forward to what Disney have to offer at their annual Star Wars Weekends held in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Each of the 4 weekends brings a host of special guests from the Star Wars universe as well as unique and special one of a kind shows and presentations. Take a look at what Disney have on offer this year.

Here’s the scheduled celebrity lineup for Star Wars Weekends 2012 (subject to change):

Weekend I (May 18 – 20)

Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend II (May 25- 27)

Andy Secombe (Watto – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (June 1 -3)

Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
(Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice talent – currently TBD)

Weekend IV (June 8- 10)