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Test Track to get makeover, sponsor change

EPCOT’s popular Test Track attraction will be getting an updated theme to go with a new sponsor. Rather than General Motors sponsoring the ride, it will change to Chevrolet. Chevy is, of course, a GM brand, but the company wanted to focus the new experience on just one brand.

Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012. A few months ago updated cars were spotted testing on the track, they’ve obviously been working on this for a while already.

With the credit crisis of 2007-08 sending GM into bankruptcy, there was a question if the 10 year #10 million sponsorship would continue. But Disney and GM worked out a series of arrangements that allowed them to keep their name on the ride until finances could be lined up to renew the arrangement.

The new theme reminds me a little of how the ‘Sum of all Thrills’ attraction works. But the execution will have to be different to keep the capacity of the attraction moving at a quick enough clip.

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Cars’ Land Radiator Springs Racers – Pre Viz Video

It looks like someone has leaked the pre-visualization video built by Walt Disney Imagineering to demonstrate how a complete ride-through of the Radiator Springs Racers, the main attraction of Pixar’s Cars’ Land at California Adventure, will look, feel, and sound to a guest. Not sure… Read More »Cars’ Land Radiator Springs Racers – Pre Viz Video

Cars’ Land Luigi’s Leaning Tower of Tires Installed at California Adventure

We just learned that parts of Cars’ Land at California Adventure will open in summer 2012. Work is progressing at a frenzied pace and the details in Cars’ Land are coming into focus. One of the most important touches will be the recreation of Main… Read More »Cars’ Land Luigi’s Leaning Tower of Tires Installed at California Adventure

First Tree Planted in Fantasyland Expansion

The first major tree was added to the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland Expansion earlier this week. It’s the first of many as the whole area is supposed to have a forested feel. Here’s a photo shared by Walt Disney’s Imagineers. According to the Disney Parks Blog:… Read More »First Tree Planted in Fantasyland Expansion

The Thea Awards announced by TEA

The 18th Annual Thea Awards Recipients were anounced by TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) today. The annual awards for the themed entertainment industry celebrate excellence in storytelling that supports the creation of compelling places and guest experiences. As you might expect Disney is well represented.

  • Imagineer Joe Rohde won the newly christened “Buzz Price” award (formerly the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award) for his lifetime of distinguished achievements.
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World won for best Attraction Refresh.
  • The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom won the award for best Show Spectacular.
  • Disney Cruise Line got in on the fun with an award for Ingenious use of Technology at Animation Magic in the Animator’s Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Ship – Disney Fantasy. Which is weird, since that ship hasn’t even sailed yet. But I have seen the concept in action and it’s pretty cool.

Congratulations to all the winners.

The full list of award recipients is below the jump:

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Mural for Little Mermaid Attraction – Behind the Scenes with Disney’s Imagineers

Part of the Fantasyland expansion in the Magic Kingdom is a dark ride based on the one of Walt Disney Animation’s classics – The Little Mermaid. I’m very happy that this dark ride is returning a tradition we associate with classic Fantasyland dark rides, a… Read More »Mural for Little Mermaid Attraction – Behind the Scenes with Disney’s Imagineers

Time-Lapse Video of New Fantasyland Construction Progress

Walt Disney Imagineering has released a new time-lapse video showing the progress of New Fantasyland. If you look close you can see the crane used to put Holiday Lights up on the castle last September. Also note that the video actually ends a few months… Read More »Time-Lapse Video of New Fantasyland Construction Progress

“Avatar Land” gets early mixed reviews

Earlier today, Disney held an Imagineering press conference with James Cameron to announce that an area based on the world of “Avatar” would be added to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fans around the world were quick to evaluate this addition. People took to message boards, social… Read More »“Avatar Land” gets early mixed reviews