If I had to rank the four Walt Disney World parks just in frequency of my visits, Disney’s Hollywood Studios would place third. It’s not that I don’t enjoy being in the park, it’s just that the things I do enjoy always sends me walking from one side of the park to the other based on the show schedule, fastpass availability, and availability of decent counter service with air-conditioned seating. The haphazard nature of DHS’s pathways are an artifact of its status as a working studio during its initial years. But this park is top of my list for a drastic new series of placemaking.
Alas, my armchair Imagineering will have to wait for another day, today I have a photo update capturing a few of the changes since my last visit.
We’ll start our tour at The Magic of Disney Animation, which now features this Campus Map. Note how it shows that guests can now skip the movie to get into the main building. It also specifically lists the characters inside by name. So it looks like it will be a while before we see a replacement for Winnie The Pooh. Important to note if an autograph with Winnie the Pooh is a must. You can avoid the crowds at the Magic Kingdom and get it at DHS.
The biggest change inside the Magic of Disney Animation was the updated Animation Gallery. A new exhibit called ‘Setting the Scene’ has been installed. You can still see some of the Academy Awards Disney has won, but everything else is changed.
Walt Disney Studios and the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Ponyo” & “Spirited Away”) proudly open the doors to “The Secret World of Arrietty” on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD, available now for pre-order for delivery on May 22, 2012. This visually stunning animated masterpiece stars an illustrious voice cast that includes Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Bridgit Mendler, Moises Arias, David Henrie and the iconic and much beloved Carol Burnett.
Based on the acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers,” by Mary Norton, “The Secret World of Arrietty” is an imaginative tale of “little people” living furtively among us, and the unlikely friendship that forms when their hidden world is discovered. The heartwarming family adventure features beautiful, stylized animation and timeless themes of friendship, courage and determination.
In addition to the stunning Blu-ray hi-definition picture and digital sound, the 2-DiscCombo Pack includes an array of bonus features that will fascinate animation fans, including a storyboard version of the film and the original Japanese trailers and TV commercials. Additional features include music videos for the songs “Summertime” performed by Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler, who is the speaking voice of Arrietty; and the movie’s theme song “Arrietty’s Song” performed by French singer/songwriter Cécile Corbel.
An enthralling story, with the English language version directed by 7-time Academy Award®-winner Gary Rydstrom, “The Secret World of Arrietty” is a remarkable filmmaking achievement that families will want to add to their home entertainment collections and enjoy over and over.
FILM SYNOPSIS:
Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered. Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasionalcovert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts.
But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”
The film was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Toshio Suzuki. Gary Rydstrom directed the English-language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” from a screenplay written by Karey Kirkpatrick. The producers include Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. The original Japanese screenplay was written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa.
I’m always fascinated to see how Disney chooses to market its films to non-US audiences. Frequently it’s completely different material than what we see. With Pixar’s Brave we’re seeing a few really interesting takes.
Some cultures it might be hard to sell a movie with a female protagonist, so they’ve gone a little macho. Here’s a recently released poster for Italy:
Notice the distance between Merida and her family. Here is another version which makes the movie look like it’s about a war.
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One of the many experiences exclusive to the Disney Fantasy is the Midship Detective Agency. By using the shipwide series of enchanted art, guests are able to play a Muppet adventure game called “The Case of the Stolen Show”. During the guests take an interactive adventure quest around the ship, uncovering clues via more than a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art and physical “evidence.”
The adventure begins with the cast of Muppets preparing to stage a big performance. But there’s a problem: Kermit’s banjo is missing, Fozzie’s squirting flower has vanished, Gonzo’s crash helmet has gone astray, Animal’s drum sticks have disappeared and the Swedish Chef can’t find his cleaver! All of the props for the big show have been stolen by a cunning thief (or more likely, another Muppet).
Guided by a map and holding a unique game card in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues and find missing props. Elsewhere on the ship, guests may check a Muppets message board and find a Muppet-sized stateroom door to discover clues. Their mission is to solve the crime before it’s time to raise the curtain and light the lights on the Muppets’ big show.
Here Imagineer Karen (I apologize I didn’t catch her last name) walks us through the technology behind enchanted art and the Midship Detective Agency along with the Muppets adventure.
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Yesterday we shared a new kitchenware and dish set for sale at Walt Disney World, but that isn’t the only bit of new merchandise to show up at the parks. Here are a few more things that caught my eye as I wandered around the parks.
Of late, Disney has been making easy to find the new stuff by grouping it together with other ‘New Arrivals.’
I’m seeing a lot more clothing where the Mickey Mouse element is woven into the pattern. Let’s you were your Mickey clothing without having to have a cartoon on your shirt. I like that idea.
