In the same week that multiple rumors have started to spread about an expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure even to the point of survey equipment being spotted backstage, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts held a media event to highlight changes coming to Disney’s properties.
Below Al Weiss, President of Disney Parks and Resorts explains all the changes coming to Disney’s properties outside of Central Florida:
Forgetting the developments in the Disney parks around the rest of the world, and there are many, it’s hard not to compare the improvements coming to Walt Disney World with the very successful Harry Potter themed land. In the scheme of things Disney is doing a lot more than Universal Studios, but is quantity better than quality?
Follow below the jump for more from the press event:
The Disney Dream sailed on its inaugural voyage today. But that cruise almost didn’t happen. A passenger on a nearby ship caught video of the two ships coming perilously close to colliding. Although this video was just posted today, this incident happened back before the… Read More »Disney Dream has near collision with another ship
Youtube user whoiseyevan has created a new form of fan tribute called a “premake.” What’s a premake? It’s a new take on a trailer for a popular film made by splicing together footage from dozens of older movies with a little creative editing. The Pixar… Read More »Up – The Premake Trailer
Disney has just released the artwork for three new posters that promote attractions from within California Adventure, the second gate at the Disneyland Resort. I like how these have a travel poster feel. I suppose overtime they’ll grow on me and begin to look more… Read More »New California Adventure Attraction Posters
Fans of Disney’s latest collectibles craze, the Mickey Mouse shaped Vinylmation series, stay tuned. I have been sent a very special sneak peek at the Vinylmation Villains series created especially for The Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. The new series will be available beginning January 31, 2011.
The eleven figures assembled in Villains Series #1 are: Ursula, Prince John, Banzai, Mim, Kaa, Cruella De Vil, Steam Boat Pete, Old Hag, Stromboli, Shan Yu, Ratcliff. Of course there’s also the elusive chaser. Suggested retails price for all the 3 inch figures is $9.95.
More previews and details of an exciting Vinylmation Giveaway below the jump:
Update: boy I was off my game this morning. Missed two more nominees: “Day & Night”: Teddy Newton from Pixar for Best Animated Short and “The Tempest” – Sandy Powell for Costume Design. That makes it 14 total nominations. Apologies to Teddy and Sandy. Congrats… Read More »Disney Oscar Nominees
Okay, there’s quite a lot to cover in this update from the Magic Kingdom, including some big rumors, so let’s get right to it. First off, the “Let The Memories Begin” campaign has begun and new ephemera is beginning to roll out. First Napkins,
and then cups… and also guide maps (not pictured, alas).
The tour guide courtyard is behind tarps, pretty tarps at least.
Last week the Magic Kingdom rolled out the carpets for visiting media and VIPs to showcase the latest promotion for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, “Let The Memories Begin.” The centerpiece of that promotion will be a nightly show on Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom and the facade of It’s A Small World at Disneyland.
“The Magic, The Memories, and You!” is a new show is gracing the spires and turrets of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Sixteen digital projectors throw photos and videos of park guests and the history of the Walt Disney Company directly onto the facade of the castle using new digital mapping and projection technology. The result is a show that will amaze and move you as only Disney can do.
We saw the show standing about 4/5ths of the way across the hub (right near the popcorn cart). The angle wasn’t a problem, the projections cover both the front and the sides of the castle, but the distance was. To really make out all the details of the guest photos that are added to the show, you have to be somewhere between the Partner’s statue and the Castle stage. You will get a slightly different show from the sides, so maybe view it twice, three times if you want to view it from Main Street for the longer range view.
Overall I was impressed with how the show used the technology to wrap the castle with images and video. I don’t want to go into too much detail to the story and pacing since I’ve only seen it once. But as the show itself is only 10 minutes long and you can probably walk up and get a good spot 10 minutes before the show starts, I recommend you check it out for yourself on your next visit.
Follow below the jump for a special preview of the show and my complete show video, plus more on the magic behind the show:
