On Jan. 28, 2009 an 80-foot-tall hot air balloon, shaped like Epcot’s Spaceship Earth icon, floated above the Magic Kingdom carrying the Birkett family, of Scottsdale, Az. The special flight was one of the dreams awarded as part of Disney Parks’ 2008 Year Of A… Read More »Family Flies over Disney in Balloon as part of YOMD prize packet
The BBC has a great story examining how two of the most recent attractions to open at Walt Disney World point the way toward future development from Walt Disney Imagineering. Disney sees current and future generations of youth who are already so inter-mediated with video games, texting, MP3s, video downloads, and 3-D movies (sometimes all at the same time) that they’re afraid standard attractions just won’t be enough to inspire repeat visits down the line.
“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.
Read More »Disney’s next generation theme park entertainment, already here?
A couple quick bits of news from Walt Disney World: Kim Possible officially opens Jan. 28 at Epcot American Idol will debut Feb. 14 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Although Annual Passholders can sign up for a preview) DisneyWorld.com has received a fresh paint job with… Read More »Quick Disney World Update
One of the holiday celebrations Walt Disney World does best is the Christmas Around the World storytelling at EPCOT’s World Showcase. Germany’s story involves cookies, toys, and life-sized Nutcrackers. The Disney Blog reader AmyLovesBooks sent in this short home video of her twelve year old… Read More »An EPCOT Holiday America’s Funniest Videos Moment
Celebrity narrators of the 2008 Candlelight Procession at Epcot share their favorite holiday memories. The Candlelight Processional at Epcot is a Walt Disney World Resort holiday tradition; a telling of the Christmas story featuring celebrity narrators, a mass choir and a 50-piece orchestra. Hear memories… Read More »Epcot Candlelight Narrator Holiday Memories
As this year’s Food and Wine Festival winds to a close Walt Disney World has released exciting new details about next spring’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Among the new items are a “Cinderellabration” Topiary, a ‘Green’ Garden, Pirates Adventure Zone, and the Pixie Hollow… Read More »Celebrate Floral Fun and ‘Go Green’ At 16th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 18-May 31, 2009
This morning in a backstage area behind Epcot, the Walt Disney Company redeemed a prescription for healthy cast members when it opened the Center for Living Well as a one stop shop for primary medical car for 40,000 eligible Cast Members and their families. Disney partnered with Take Care Health Systems a provider of over 375 similar on-site facilities to bring this valuable resource to the cast members of Walt Disney World.
As a primary care center, the Center for Living Well includes Labs, Facilities, Pharmacy, and the ability to handle any urgent care matters. Additionally there are staff members who will help patients to develop the tools required to stay healthy for the long run.
With the Center for Living Well “Cast Members gain a tool for healthier living,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “It will make it easier than ever before for them to take advantage of the many health and wellness resources Disney offers.”
President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Al Weiss, who has been appointed the Executive Champion for health and well being at the Walt Disney Company, said the center will provide cast members Holistic look at health with teaching opportunities. It will also tie-in with other facilities provided around the resort, such as health clubs, to ensure a healthy cast. That makes it a win-win in the long term.
Another benefit of the center is the outreach to the many cast members who come from overseas to work at the resort. Large populations of Haitians, Vietnamese, and Spanish speaking people work around the resort. The center for Living Well features signage in multiple languages, staff members who are fluent in one or more of the common languages, and resources available via telephone for other translation needs. This will no doubt be a big selling point as Disney attempts to attract more workers from these communities.
In addition to cultural sensitivities, they’re also taking privacy into concern. The design and layout of the facility means you’re unlikely to run into your boss while waiting for service. Wait times will be minimized and exam rooms are specially designed to protect the identity of whomever is in the room.
The Center is open to all Disney Cast Members who are enrolled in one of the 5 Cigna plans. It will be open 7 days a week (M-F 7A-7P and S-S 9A-5P) with the pharmacy open the same hours. They are recommending that everyone make appointments, although walk-ups will be accepted.
I have a full set of photos from the event this morning and a tour of the facility over at my flickr account. You can also read the whole press release below the cut.
Read More »Walt Disney World opens on-site health and wellness center for cast members and families
The Le Cellier restaurant at the Canadian pavilion at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center features this out of the world Cheddar Cheese Soup. It’s also featured in the Canada booth during the popular Food & Wine Festival. Now you can learn how to make it yourself from Master Chef Brian Piasecki of Jiko-The Cooking Place (although he’s at neither restaurant for this demonstration)