It’s not often that fans of a particular artist get a chance to give back to that artist. But today us Disney fans get that chance. If you ever got a chuckle from a classic Chip & Dale cartoon or were wowed by a Disneyland audio-animatronic then you’ve experienced the magic of celebrated Disney Legend and Animator Bill Justice.

Justice is getting ready to celebrate his 96th Birthday, but he’s been in a rehabilitation home for the last few years and not receiving many visitors.

Here’s a note sent to me from a source I trust on how you can make a difference.

We need your help flooding Disney Legend Bill Justice with cards and letters. He has been residing in a convalescent home the past few years.

For those of you unfamiliar with his name, Bill Justice is best known for his work as an animator of Chip & Dale, and directed several cartoons including “What’s the Truth About Mother Goose?” He also programmed the Country Bear Jamboree, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. He was very active at fan events such as Disneyana Conventions and NFFC events in the 80’s and 90’s.

We’ve been asked to share an address where cards and letters can be sent. Please help us show him that we still remember him and appreciate what he has given us as fans. Perhaps send him a picture that you took with him or just a simple card. You can send the cards and notes to:

Bill Justice
Arbor View Wellness & Rehabilitation Center
1338 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Thanks for helping out. Let’s show Bill how much we appreciate the joy and fun he has brought into the world.

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Giving Thanks for Bill Justice
The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans

Mr. Q had a large role in designing the ambient sound for Walt Disney World and solving one of the big problems encountered when moving from land to land… where does one soundtrack end and the other begin?

In the mid 1990’s, the park started researching the problem. It would eventually find no existing solution, so the engineers had to design and construct, on their own, one of the most complex and advanced audio systems ever built. The work paid off: today, as you walk through Disney World, the volume of the ambient music does not change. Ever. More than 15,000 speakers have been positioned using complex algorithms to ensure that the sound plays within a range of just a couple decibels throughout the entire park. It is quite a technical feat acoustically, electrically, and mathematically.

As we land, I ask Mr Q what he considers the highlight of his career. He describes how he wrote some software for “manufacturing emotion” with the thousands of new speakers in the park. The system he built can slowly change the style of the music across a distance without the visitor noticing. As a person walks from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland, for example, each of the hundreds of speakers slowly fades in different melodies at different frequencies so that at any point you can stop and enjoy a fully accurate piece of music, but by the time you walk 400 feet, the entire song has changed and no one has noticed.

More at How Mr. Q Manufactured Emotion.

(Via BoingBoing)

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Inventing Ambient Sound for Walt Disney World
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The latest to hit is a new ‘promotional’ video from Walt Disney Imagineering. The video masterfully edits in a bunch of stuff you’ve probably seen before but also tosses in a few new exciting items from the folks at WDI. This would work as a great recruiting piece… if only WDI was hiring.

I love how they snuck Joe Rhode in there at the end. That’s what an Imagineer should look like if you ask me.

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Inside Walt Disney Imagineering, a new video
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Powering Toy Story Mania! are 154 graphics workstations running Windows XP that are used to render 3-D images on the ride’s screens at 60 frames per second. The workstations communicate with each other and with the four gaming systems onboard each vehicle using an industrial-strength wireless network based on 802.11 technology.

The wireless network integrates a huge amount of real-time information gathered from the ride: the exact location of the vehicles within one inch; the rotation of the four turrets on each end of the vehicles; and the pitch, yaw and activity of each onboard shooting device. This information is fed into the graphics workstations so they can accurately render images of pies or rings coming out of the shooting devices at accurate angles and with accurate projectiles.

Look for this technology to be implemented in new ways in future Disney attractions or even the queue areas.

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How Wi-fi Wins at Toy Story Midway Mania
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In July 1955, as student editor of UCLA’s Daily Bruin, Sklar was recruited to create a tabloid 1890-themed newspaper, The Disneyland News, which sold on Main Street during the Park’s debut year. After completing his education, Marty returned to Disneyland publicity and marketing, establishing Vacationland magazine.

He went on to become one of the biggest shapers of the Disney image, especially when it comes to Disney’s theme parks and resorts.  For 10 years, Sklar wrote personal materials for Walt Disney including a 20-minute film that established the creative intent for Walt Disney World Resort, including EPCOT.  He had been recruited by Walt to go to WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering) from the Disneyland publicity team, to work on the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

By 1974, he was responsible for the creative development of Disney parks and attractions, and would have this leadership role for 30 years.  then, he took on the newly created ambassador role.  At the time of his retirement, Sklar was the only current Cast Member of The Walt Disney Company who had participated in the opening of all eleven Disney Parks around the world.

It was twenty years ago today that I first met Marty, at the grand opening of the original Splash Mountain.  I was so excited to get to meet the President of Walt Disney Imagineering – which was his title at that time.  That was one of the highlights of that day for me – heck one of the highlights of the year.

The Window Behind the Curtain

Marty had been responsible for other people getting their windows on Main Street.  His was placed where he once had an office – upstairs at City Hall.

The man of the hour was brought out on the mobile Main Street fire engine by the Fab Five.  Then Disneyland Resort Presisdent Ed Grier spoke about Marty before being interrupted by a “guided tour group”.

A Guided Tour Group Spots Marty

Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, spoke about Marty, and then it was turn for former Disneyland President Jack Linquist to share some hilarious stories about working with Marty in the old days.  I hadn’t seen Jack in person since he retired in the mid 1990s as Paul Pressler took his place.

Jack Lindquist Speaks

Then, it was time to reveal the window.  The Fab Five did the honors.  Goofy decided to stand behind a tree, so he’s not in the shot.

Disney's Fab Five Reveal the Window

Marty Sklar's Window

Here’s a better look and what the window looks like up close…

Marty Sklar's Display Window

Then it was time for Marty to speak.

Marty Sklar Speaks

He garnered a standing ovation.  And a repeat visit from the “guided tour group”.  Then, “members of the audience” started to stand up and sing “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”, joined in by the tour group, the Fab Five, and the Disneyland cast member choir, and probably plenty of people in the audience as well!  They were aided, as was the whole event, by the firemen musical band.

"It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow!"

In addition to the speakers, plenty of notables from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts history (and present) were there, including Alice Davis, Tom Fitzgerald, Tim Delaney, Tony Baxter, Barry Braverman, longtime Disney Archivist Dave Smith, Buzz Price, Bob Gurr, Eddie Sotto… and plenty of people I’ve missed, I’m sure.

No Disneyland event like this would be complete without confetti and a release of doves, and they had those, too.   Alas, the doves were a little too quick for my camera finger.

Congratulations to Marty Sklar!

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Marty Sklar Gets His Disneyland Window
The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans

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Splash Mountain @ Disneyland Turns 20
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Their concept, called Operation SNAP: Destination Dragon, would supplant riders as explorers on a boating adventure with Otto as he pursues a legendary Chinese dragon.

The real culprit is total immersion — in the ride, in the scenery, in Otto — something Berger would want riders to experience, too.

To that end, guests on Operation SNAP (Otto’s Society of Natural and Artificial Phenomena, of which he is the sole member) would be equipped with mounted camera devices to collect photographic evidence of all the mythical creatures residing in and around the professor’s Chinese wildlife preserve. The more photos, the more points earned by riders.

Click through to the article to see some of the concept art and storyboards from the attraction.

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Cal State Fullerton Students make Imagineering Contest Attraction
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But the personal interaction between the brothers is also detailed in this film, and that is a fascinating subject by itself.

The other screening was mostly Disney animated shorts that haven’t been seen on the big screen in decades – going as far back as 1929!  Click through for the details about both screenings.  Doug Marsh also has his report as well.

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Shameless Plug: My Thoughts on Disney at a Film Festival
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It’s hard to express how talented an artist Marc Davis, one of Walt’s Nine Old Men, was. You’ve no doubt seen his animation (Aurora, Maleficient, and Tinkerbell to name a few) and his concept art (Pirates, Country Bears, and Haunted Mansion are just the beginning), but you don’t really understand until you’ve seen his non-Disney drawings and paintings.

Beginning this Friday is your chance to be amazed. Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale is presenting The Art of Marc Davis. For a little more background, Alice Davis talks about the exhibit in the Glendale Press.

The art show runs from May 8th through July 26th, 10:00am–5:00pm everyday except Mondays when the museum is closed. For more information, check the Forest Lawn website.

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Marc Davis Art on Exhibit
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The wristbands use the same technology as electronic tollbooths, security key cards and the newest U.S. passports. But at Precision Dynamics, this sophisticated electronic know-how has found its niche at theme parks, where the high-tech wristbands act as high-security admission passes, cashless debit cards, hotel room keys and a form of identification to reunite lost children with parents.

Check out the story, which includes a quote from a privacy watchdog.

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Precision Dynamics’ Microchip Wristband
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Don Edgren was known for his mastery of resort development and his ‘can-do’ attitude. Rolly Crump was a designer who created many of the iconic looks that have come to symbolize the ‘Disney theme park’.

LaughingPlace.com was there and brings some great video and photos of the dedication event.

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Rolly Crump and Don Edgren honored with Windows at Disneyland
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There already is a ‘hidden’ Luxo Jr. in the Pixar Place area of DHS. Look for the street sign near the huge Pixar Studios sign as you enter from the central plaza.

While I think a ‘live’ Luxo Jr. would be interesting, I’d rather WDI concentrate its efforts on the larger LCI like Muppet Labs.

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Pixar Icon to be next Living Character Initiative at DHS?
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The full press release is below the cut:

The newest chef at Walt Disney World Resort may be small in stature, but he’s a big hit with guests enjoying haute cuisine at Les Chefs de France in Epcot. With his flair for French fare, diners of all ages are eating up his whimsical tableside visits.

His name is Remy, and he’s the rat-turned-chef made famous in the Academy Award-winning Disney•Pixar film “Ratatouille.” A new Audio-Animatronics character created by Walt Disney Imagineering, Remy stars in a new guest experience at Les Chefs de France entitled “Bon Appétit from Chef Remy.” Les Chefs de France is one of the restaurants featured at the France pavilion in Epcot.

Six days a week, four times a day (subject to change), a Maître d’ greets diners with a rolling gourmet food cart. Dramatically lifting the lid from a silver-domed cheese platter, the Maître d’ reveals the guest of honor – a six-inch-tall rat with silky-soft fur, pink paws and traditional toque. Chef Remy then comes to life, entertaining diners with sprightly movements and lively banter. Winding their way through the restaurant, Remy and his Maître d’ pal make stops at each table. In addition to his hijinks, Chef Remy might even bust a move to the beat of different tunes, from the soft sway of a French love song to the hot sounds of hip-hop.

The 40-minute experience provides guests an up-close encounter with the “Ratatouille” star as he laughs, sniffles and even flirts with his new friends.

Remy is part of the Living Character initiative created for Disney Parks by Walt Disney Imagineering.

“By combining technologies, our Living Character initiative creates new levels of guest interaction and brings characters to life like never before,” said Holger Irmler, who worked on the Remy project for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Things we do are so complex, yet our goal is to make them seem so magical to our guests.”

Since its inception, the initiative has been providing guests with a dash of never-before-seen technology and a heaping helping of legendary Disney magic. The first Living Character debuted in 2004 in the form of a large and lovable dinosaur named Lucky.

Not only is Remy one of the newest Audio-Animatronics characters created by Walt Disney Imagineering, he also holds the distinction of being the smallest one ever created. Having already wowed guests at Disneyland Resort Paris, Imagineers chose Epcot as the next park for Remy to visit – with Les Chefs de France serving as the perfect Parisian setting for his Walt Disney World debut.

Guests dining at Les Chefs de France are encouraged to make advance reservations by calling 407/WDW-DINE (407/939-3463) up to 90 days prior to their visit. Make sure you request a seating during one of ‘Chef Remy’s’ performances. “Bon Appétit from Chef Remy” is scheduled to take place at Les Chefs de France Monday through Saturday until Sept. 5, 2009 (subject to change).

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Meet Remy from Ratatouille at Chefs De France in EPCOT
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If you could have Disney Imagineers theme your house/apartment to one Disney attraction (ala Extreme Makeover) which would you choose?

I correctly felt that Haunted Mansion would be the most popular. But I really thought that Pirates Of the Caribbean would be second best. It wasn’t even close. Here are the full results with the number of votes listed first.

8 Haunted Mansion
5 Enchanted Tiki Room
4 Tower of Terror
3 Peter Pan
3 The Matterhorn
3 Rock’n'Rollercoaster
3 Splash Mountain
2 Carousel of Progress
2 Cinderella Castle
2 Indiana Jones
2 it’s a small world
2 Great Movie Ride
2 Mickey’s Toon Town
2 The Adventurers Club
2 Swiss Family Robinson (with plumbing)
2 Space Mountain
Alice in Wonderland
Beauty & The Beast Stage Show
Castaway Cay
Canada Pavilion (EPCOT)
Cinderella Castle Suite
Contemporary “Bay Lake Towers” Rooms
Expedition Everest
Fab 5 themed
Germany Pavilion (EPCOT)
Haunted Mansion (NBC version)
Horizons
Innoventions Dream Home
Italy Pavilion (EPCOT)
Maelstrom
Mexico Pavilion (EPCOT)
Muppets
Pirates of the Caribbean
Snow White Adventures
Toy Story Midway Mania
UK Pavilion (EPCOT)
Winnie The Pooh

Thank you to everyone for participating! Let’s do it again sometime.

If you’ve gotten this far and wonder what I’m talking about, you should sign up for Twitter and follow @TheDisneyBlog. In the meantime, feel free to add your own ideas in the comments.

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Twitter Poll: Extreme Makeover Imagineering Style
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Frankly, Disney has been trending this way a long time. Disneyland lifers have been holding out against the move fearing they would lose some of what makes Walt Disney’s original park special, but the economic crisis has given Jay Rasulo the ammunition to install the changes.

This new action will result in some job loss even below the executive level that was offered severance packages. Unfortunately the details were not announced so we don’t know how deep job loss will go.

Two areas we know are going to get hit hard are: Imagineering and Theme Park Operations. At Walt Disney Imagineering everyone will be consolidated into a single group that handles design for all parks.

The operating infrastructure at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort will also be merged to create a single domestic organization and “back-of-house” operation.

Disney execs were putting the final touches on these changes last week while in town for the American Idol Experience launch.

The changes announced today are effective immediately.

Disney’s Press Release on the reorganization is below the cut and don’t miss Jason Garcia’s coverage at the Orlando Sentinel.:

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Reorganizes to Create a “One-Disney” Experience

Restructuring will Consolidate U.S. Operations, Simplify and Streamline Product Delivery

BURBANK, Calif. – February 18, 2009 – Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, today announced organization changes to deliver a “one-Disney” experience by simplifying the Parks and Resorts operating structure, streamlining decision-making and eliminating redundancy.

“We know that our Guests want a ‘one-Disney’ experience and we must organize around that expectation,” said Rasulo. “The long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to adapt and innovate and respond to Guest preferences. These changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today’s economic realities.”

Today’s announcement accelerates the evolution of the Parks and Resorts management structure by creating seamless behind-the-scenes operations across domestic Parks and Resorts, while preserving the uniqueness, character and culture of our individual destinations.

In a memo to employees Rasulo explained: “In 2005, we announced a new Walt Disney Parks and Resorts operating structure. We transformed our organization to match consumers’ expectations: ‘one-Disney,’ regardless of how or where they experience our products. We put in place a new leadership team, integrated key business functions and implemented a consistent set of best practices. This allowed us to more rapidly and efficiently roll out new creative projects and better anticipate changes in travel trends.

“We’ve already seen innumerable benefits. Prime examples of our successes are the establishment of many maintenance and safety practices, holiday castle lighting that began in Paris and expanded into our other theme parks, the speed with which we integrated the High School Musical shows into our parks around the world, and the simultaneous openings of Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s California Adventure.

“We have made significant progress. However, the long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to continue to adapt and innovate, to respond to ever-changing Guest preferences, and to implement an organization and cost structure that meet today’s economic realities. We must accelerate the evolution of our business and further refine our structure to work in a more integrated and effective manner.

“We know that our Guests want a ‘one-Disney’ experience and we must organize around that expectation. Our new structure will enhance our ability to Identify and Develop the next great Disney experience, Create and Build Disney destinations that incorporate our rich storytelling heritage and Operate them in a way that delivers a unique, memorable experience that transcends geography. Economic realities require that we do this in a simplified and streamlined manner that eliminates redundancies.”
Organization Changes Announced Today

A new Global Business Development team led by Executive Vice President Nick Franklin will combine the existing development functions of business and real estate development. The team will be responsible for driving growth by working with existing businesses on their development strategies, while also exploring new business opportunities around the globe.

Walt Disney Imagineering under the leadership of Bruce Vaughn, EVP, Chief Creative Executive and Craig Russell, EVP, Chief Design and Project Delivery Executive, will be reorganized into a single practice merging resort development with attractions and entertainment development to bring the creativity of Disney storytelling to the design and delivery of products at all Disney destinations.

Al Weiss, President, Worldwide Operations, will lead the work of merging the operating infrastructure at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort to create a single domestic organization and “back-of-house” operation.

In the coming weeks, other functions will review their organizations and make appropriate changes.

In his memo Rasulo acknowledged the challenges inherent in a large-scale reorganization: “Organization changes require difficult decisions, including the elimination of some roles. These decisions were not made lightly and we know this will be a challenging transition. The people affected are our friends and colleagues, and they have made valuable contributions.”

The changes announced today are effective immediately.

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Disney Parks and Resorts Division Restructures for Cost Savings
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Be good at something; it makes you valuable… have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome. – Randy Pausch

Those words honoring Dr. Randy Pausch adorn the plaque place outside the Mad Tea Cups attraction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Pausch was a Carnegie Mellon professor, Disney Imagineer, and family man known for his “last lecture” given at CMU when faced with the knowledge he had just a few months to live.

I was worried that the medallion would be out of place, however I think it fits in very well with other decorations in the area. It is located next to a table, so I see how it fits geographically, but I’m confused as to what the message of the Mad Hatter Tea Party has to do with Paucsh’s quote. The story says the attraction meant something to Dr. Pausch, so that will have to do.

I was also thinking about how Disney has incorporated memorials into the park. Typically it’s been through the ‘Cast Credit’ like windows or other in-jokes. I don’t recall anything so directly quoting anyone other than Walt or Roy Disney. Stay tuned to see if it becomes a trend.

Previously: Raundy Pausch honored by Disney with Memorial Fellowships at CMU.

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Dr. Randy Pausch Medallion at Magic Kingdom
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I don’t envy anyone who has to make this decision for themselves and their family. But at the same time, I hope enough people opt to take the package and prevent even worse layoffs in the future. During the 1Q result conference call, Bob Iger made it clear that he wants to keep as minimal impact on the guest experience as possible during the recession. So cuts in management are likely to be deep.

(More at the Orlando Sentinel)

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D-Day for Disney Park Executives, Layoff or Severance?
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“Randy Pausch lived his life inspiring his students, colleagues and co-workers. Now, the vitality and energy he brought to his classroom lives on and serves as an inspiration to millions of people he never had the chance to meet,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. “We are proud to honor Randy’s passion by supporting the innovators and dreamers of tomorrow with these fellowships.”

Pausch fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a Walt Disney Imagineer in 1995 when he joined the Imagineering Virtual Reality Studio during a sabbatical from his university teaching position. Imagineering, with its collaborative teams of artists, engineers, sculptors and software developers, proved the perfect environment for him. After his sabbatical was complete, Pausch continued as a consultant to Disney, and began nurturing a relationship between Carnegie Mellon and Disney through Imagineering’s internship program. Pausch earned his PhD in computer science at Carnegie Mellon in 1988 and was a professor in Carnegie Mellon’s Computer Science Department, Human-Computer Interaction Institute and School of Design from 1997 until his death in July 2008.

The Disney Memorial Pausch Fellowship will support two graduate students, one in the School of Computer Science (SCS) and one in the College of Fine Arts (CFA), reflecting Pausch’s enthusiasm for the interplay of arts and technology. His fascination with this type of synergy at Disney led to the development of Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center, a program designed specifically to foster collaboration between technologists and fine artists on projects intended to entertain, inform, inspire, or otherwise affect audiences. The Entertainment Technology Center’s Masters of Entertainment Technology degree is jointly conferred by Carnegie Mellon’s College of Fine Arts and School of Computer Science.

“Arts and technology are two pillars of strength at Carnegie Mellon,” said Jared L. Cohon, president of the university. “Randy Pausch was tireless in his efforts to bridge the gap between them by creating innovative classes and graduate programs, as well as through his own research. Disney’s generosity in sponsoring graduate fellowships in computer science and fine arts further establishes Randy’s educational legacy by benefiting talented students who share his passion for interdisciplinary collaboration.”

To mark Pausch’s achievements, a specially-themed medallion will be placed in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and inscribed with words from his lecture: “Be good at something; it makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.” The unique artistic element is located near the Mad Tea Party (”tea cups”) ride, which was celebrated in a photo that Pausch displayed on his desk, showing his niece and nephew enthusiastically enjoying the attraction.

The relationship between Disney and Carnegie Mellon that Pausch nurtured continues to evolve. In August 2008, Disney announced a major Research and Development initiative to engage top technology universities to conduct research and development for many of Disney’s divisions. Disney Research, Pittsburgh, and its sister lab, Disney Research, Zurich, connect Disney with Carnegie Mellon and other renowned academic partners who have world-class science and technology talent. The labs will engage in research and development on computer animation, computational cinematography, autonomous interactive characters, robotics and user interfaces, among other initiatives.

I never met Randy Pausch but I’ve been influenced by the projects he’s had a hand in creating. The students of the CMU ETC have created marvelous projects that give hope to the incredible children of Give Kids The World, Pausch’s work on VR has had a big influence on Disney theme design, and his “Last Lecture” should serve all of us as an important reminder to live a life worth living and chase your dreams.

Previously: Randy Pausch on The Disney Blog.

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Disney Honors Randy Pausch With Memorial Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University
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“The emerging generation expects more immersive, personal and interactive experiences in every facet of their lives,” says Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The two attractions the article looks at are Toy Story Midway Mania and Kim Possible. TSMM takes the ‘video game’ experience and brings it into the parks in a very Disney way. While Kim Possible is one of the first examples of how Disney can build an attraction using overlay technology. No need to expand the footprint of the park, just intertwine the experience with what is already there.

Sure, WDI can continue to pump out the heart pumping thrill rides like Expedition Everest or new entertainment environments like The American Idol Experience, but really, so can anyone these days (usually with the help of laid off Imagineers). What will set Disney themed environments apart in the future are overlays (or an even more exciting technology called Total Immersion, but that’s coming well down the line).

Just about exactly 8 years ago, I wrote a short story for LaughingPlace.com (unfortunately, the second page of it appears to have gone missing, so I rescued it from the Internet Archive Wayback machine (woo hoo) and have included it in full below the cut) forecasting where this overlay technology might be heading in the future. If it seems familiar, that probably means you’ve used a Pal Mickey before. It also gives you an idea of how long these ideas percolate in Imagineering before making it into the parks. Additionally, I’m almost finished with a novel by Vernor Vinge called “Rainbows End” which takes this overlay concept to the umpteenth level and extends it worldwide via a combination of future social networking and an economy based on themed design and role play.

I think it’s important to remember that it all comes back to quality story telling with the type of rich detail that Disney knows how to intertwine with entertainment. If Disney keeps their eye on that, the technology is just another color on their canvas.

Dispatch From the Future

Anniversaries are a time to look backward and forward. If you can’t learn from where you’ve been, then there is little hope the future will turn out right. If you can’t envision a bright future, then all your past efforts will go to waste. Walt knew this and the various lands of Disneyland (and his vision of EPCOT) all pertain to this philosophy.

Disneyland is approaching it’s 45th Anniversary on July 17th (should be a national holiday if you ask me) and I have been consulting my crystal ball for a vision of what the park might look like 45 years from now.

Chances are it will be much the same as it is now. Main Street will have a few new tenants, I’m sure. Sleeping Beauty Castle will still anchor the guest’s walk toward the hub, and the Train Station will still be the focus for those approaching Town Square. Many new attractions will dot the landscape and plenty of old favorites will continue to entertain beyond their billionth guest.

Yes. It will look familiar to my then 75 year old eyes.

However, there is a buzzword being passed around the hallways of Walt Disney Imagineering even now that will change all that-Total Immersion Environments. TIE worlds are the ultimate experience in themed entertainment. Low-tech versions of this exist today with fantasy role-playing games and events, such as murder mysteries, Sunset Blvd characters in MGM-Disney Studios, etc.. The first of the high-tech TIE worlds might be said to exist in Universal’s Islands of Adventure Amazing Spiderman ride. But well before 45 years arrives, things will be totally different.

It’s likely that TIE worlds will exist both as overlays to existing environments and as stand alone attractions. Stand alone attractions will be more structured and heavily scripted like today’s experiences. In an overlay, each participant will choose ’skins’ that will help customize the experience for them. That skin will then be planted on top of the existing world to augment the experience. At Disneyland it might work something like this…

“Hello and welcome to Disneyland. Guests wishing to purchase passports please proceed to a yellow guest services station. Guests who need to rent our TIE visor please check in at the main entrance. Thank you for visiting Disneyland. We hope your stay here is a pleasant one.”

The deep and rich voice of the Disneyland announcer fills your ears as you approach the Disneyland Entrance Plaza. This is your first trip in over a year and the lushness of the spring plants and the beautiful flower arrangements are overwhelming. Still you and your family manage to make your way to the main entrance and pick up your Disney TIE visors.

The visor interfaces with your personal iNet even as your pre-purchased passport is being verified through the Disneyland Entrance network. A quick smile for the biometrics face scan and you’re through the gates and in front of that famous floral Mickey.

That friendly voice fills your head again. “Hello. Through these gates you’ll find worlds of the past, fantasy, and tomorrow as presented to you by the minds and talents of the Walt Disney Company. Please don your Disney TIE visor now. ”

Sliding the visor into place and selecting the on button results in a small green light telling you everything is working. You look around and see a few Cast Members helping guests configure the visor to more difficult iNET models. Quickly everyone in your party is ready to go.

In a few seconds another Disney Cast Member approaches your group. She is about 5 foot 8 inches tall and has a peppy cheerful look about her. She is a little on the fair skinned side, with blonde hair that falls past her shoulders, the Southern California woman prototype. Her costume is the traditional Disneyland Guest Relations plaid that you remember seeing on every visit.

Addressing your family she says “Hi. I’m Tour Guide TIAA. TIAA stands for Total Immersion Assistance Avatar, but you can just call me Tia. If you need my help at anytime call for me and I’ll be right there to aid you. In the meantime, please stand still while I activate your preferences menu.”

A hover screen appears about 5 feet in front of you. And lists a menu of choices that will help shape your visit today.

“A few minutes of preparation can save endless hours of waiting inside the park,” continues Tia. “So please be patient while we get you set up. If you plan to return tomorrow, these settings will be saved and available to you.”

“Please choose an Avatar now,” states Tia. “My sister Tour Guide Tanya is our most popular avatar and is our default selection. Our second most popular avatar is Mickey Mouse. He’s perfect for the young and the young at heart. Please make your choice now, or select ‘List Avatars’ for more options.”

“Thank you for choosing Tour Guide Tanya. Remember if you need assistance you can either ask Tanya or call for me, Tia, at any time.” With that Tia waves good-bye and walks off into the distance, disappearing behind another family.

Seconds later another Guest Relations tour guide approaches. She could be Tia’s twin except for the name badge that reads Tanya. “Hi everyone,” she says. After a pause she says, “it’s okay. You can say hi to me. I’m very interactive and can answer nearly any question you have.”

“Hi Tanya.” You all reply in unison.

“Alright let’s get on with the show.” She says. “Follow me underneath the train tracks and onto Disneyland’s Main Street USA.”

As you pass under the tracks it’s as if you’re traveling back in time. Hundreds of park guests interact with hundreds of townsfolk from the early 1900s. Sneaking a peak outside your visor you notice that only a small minority of the townsfolk are actual cast members. The majority are virtual avatars, just like your tour guide.

Tanya continues, “Since this is your second visit in two years, I’ll be giving you the intermediate level of detail and history. For instance, you may not know it, but there is an apartment above the Firehouse there on your left. When Disneyland was new Walt Disney used to stay in the apartment with his wife and daughters. Cast Members knew to be extra sharp when the light was on in the apartment. After Walt died in 1966, a light was left on in the window as a symbol of his spirit watching over the park. Nifty, huh!”

As Tanya spoke a Fireman walking a Dalmatian approaches your family. He’s a tall blond young man with black pants, red shirt, and black suspenders. His firehat reads, ‘Disneyland Fire Dept. #1.’ Tipping it toward you he gives a cheerful “Morning Folks.”

You smile in return but your young son is a bit more enthusiastic. “Hi Mr. Fireman.” Taking that as an invitation, the Fireman stops to let your son pet the Dalmatian and run him through a few useful fire-dog tricks. The dog, not the boy.

While your son is occupied, Tanya takes some time to quiz you and your wife about your eating preferences. In a few seconds she has a list of recommendations for eating and available reservation times. Before you know it your lunch and dinner reservations are made and a bookmark is left to their menus in case you get a few moments to check them out and maybe even place an advance order.

The fireman and dog, both of whom are real you notice beneath your visor, are getting ready to move on, and so are you. As you march down Main Street to the familiar music Tanya is providing glimpses into details that you never noticed during your previous visits.

Right as you enter the hub a familiar looking creature in tux and tails bounces up to your group, it’s Mickey Mouse! “Hi everyone!” he squeaks. “Welcome to My park.” Meanwhile Tanya has produced a digital camera and takes a picture of your group with your very special host. Your son is enthralled with Mickey and giggles as Mickey wrinkles his nose at him.

“Whelp, I have to get back to my movie barn in Toontown, my leading lady Minnie is waiting for her big scene,” pips Mickey. “I hope you’ll come visit me there later. But since you’re here, may I recommend you visit Fantasyland. Tinkerbell tells me the lines for Peter Pan and Dumbo are extra short right now.”

You proceed to Fantasyland and notice how right Mickey was. Peter Pan is a walk on. The whole area is full of various toons from Disney movies set in the fantasy milieu. Since your reservation for Peter Pan is about to expire you pass up a chance to interact right now and instead move to the entrance queue.

Your favorite ride from childhood, Peter Pan, has undergone a few changes to increase capacity and show, but the suspended ship system is still there only this time London isn’t a model, but a high definition projection of the city as it would have looked then. Little animated characters from the movie fly around in your vision and you follow them off into the stars and straight on til morning. Suddenly you’re in the mist of the fight for control of Hook’s ship and the rescue of Wendy, Peter, and John. It’s an incredibly real experience as the action takes place all around you. With the aid of Tinkerbell’s pixie dust you fly off to victory and back into Fantasyland. It’s only been a few minutes, but you feel as if you just lived through the whole movie.

“Great ride,” your son says. “Let’s go again.”

As if on cue, Tanya appears by your son’s side. “Okay,” she says. “I’ll make a reservation for you later on tonight. For now, we’re off to fly with Dumbo.”

“Dumbo, cool.” you and your son say in unison.

Tanya continues, “Dumbo is one of our two ‘classic’ Fantasyland attractions. The other is King Arthur’s Carrousel. Both are best experienced without your Disney TIE visors. Since Dumbo is a walk on, please remove your visors now and I’ll rejoin you at the exit.”

With almost no exceptions your day is one fun filled experience after another. Even when you sit down to rest, you’re amazed at the detail of the park and the benefits of the total immersion experience.

At the end of the day Tia reappears and asks if you wouldn’t mind taking a brief survey to help improve your future visits. Another cast member approaches with a small souvenir book in her hands. Her name tag reads “Krisse.”

“Thank you from all the cast members at Disneyland. We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay with us,” states Krisse. “Please accept this complimentary souvenir book and multimedia presentation of your day at Disneyland.”

Looking on the cover you see the picture of you together with Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background. Inside are various pictures of the park, some even have you and your family in them. Included is a menu of what you ate, and recipes you can recreate at home. There are also coupons for discounts on future visits or duplicate copies of your souvenir guide.

All in all a memorable trip for you and your family.

– Indigo (February 2, 2000)

Dispatch from Disneyland: Memories and fantasies woven together to create whimsical tales that can happen any day at Walt Disney’s magic kingdom. Through Indigo’s dispatch you can experience some of the wonderful moments that make Disneyland such a magical place.

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Disney’s next generation theme park entertainment, already here?
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Even if you can’t apply to this, it’s interesting to note that participants will be given FLIP cameras to document their projects. That should make for some interesting video blogs. I’m looking forward to it.

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ImagiNations: Imagineerings Internship Contest
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